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Abscessed Tooth Center - Lehi, UT

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Lehi, Utah

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Abscessed Tooth

What are the symptoms of an abscessed tooth?

A toothache that is severe and continuous and results in gnawing or throbbing pain or sharp or shooting pain are common symptoms of an abscessed tooth. Other symptoms may include:

What does an abscessed tooth look like?
  • Fever
  • Pain when chewing
  • Sensitivity of the teeth to hot or cold
  • Bitter taste in the mouth
  • Foul smell to the breath
  • Swollen neck glands
  • General discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling
  • Redness and swelling of the gums
  • Swollen area of the upper or lower jaw
  • An open, draining sore on the side of the gum

If the root of the tooth dies as a result of infection, the toothache may stop. However, this doesn't mean the infection has healed; the infection remains active and continues to spread and destroy tissue. Therefore, if you experience any of the above listed symptoms, it is important to see a dentist even if the pain subsides.

How is an abscessed tooth diagnosed?

Your dentist will probe your teeth with a dental instrument. If you have an abscessed tooth, you will feel pain when the tooth is tapped by your dentist's probe. Your dentist will also ask you if your pain increases when you bite down or when you close your mouth tightly. In addition, your dentist may suspect an abscessed tooth because your gums may be swollen and red.

Your dentist may also take X-rays to look for erosion of the bone around the abscess.

How is an abscessed tooth treated?

Strategies to eliminate the infection, preserve the tooth, and prevent complications are the goals of treatment for an abscessed tooth.

To eliminate infec...

Recommended Reading Related to Abscessed Tooth

Problems With Dental Fillings »

Introduction

Tooth sensitivity following placement of a filling is fairly common. A tooth may be sensitive to pressure, air, sweet foods, or temperature. Usually, the sensitivity resolves on its own within a few weeks. During this time, avoid those things that are causing the sensitivity. Pain relievers are generally not required.

Contact your dentist if the sensitivity does not subside within 2 to 4 weeks or if your tooth is extremely sensitive. He or she may recommend you use a desensitizing toothpaste, may apply a desensitizing agent to the tooth, or possibly suggest a root canal procedure.

Pain Around Fillings

There are several explanations for pain around fillings, each resulting from a different cause.

  1. Pain when you bite. With this type of pain, the pain occurs when you bite down. The pain is noticed soon after the anesthesia wears off and continues over time. In this case, the...

Emergency Contact for Lehi

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Lehi Hospitals *

American Fork Hospital
170 N 1100 East
American Fork, UT 84003
(801)855-3300

Timpanogos Regional Hospital
750 W 800 North
Orem, UT 84057
(801)714-6000

Orem Community Hospital
331 N 400 West
Orem, UT 84057
(801)224-4080

Alta View Hospital
9660 S 1300 East
Sandy, UT 84094
(801)501-2600

Utah Valley Regional Medical Center
1034 N 500 West
Provo, UT 84604
(801)357-7850

HEALTHSOUTH Rehabilitation Hospital of Utah
8074 S 1300 East
Sandy, UT 84094
(801)561-3400

Jordan Valley Medical Center
3580 W 9000 South
West Jordan, UT 84088
(801)561-8888

Utah State Hospital
1300 E Center St
Provo, UT 84606
(801)344-4400

Highland Ridge Hospital
7309 South 180 W
Midvale, UT 84047
(801)569-2153

Intermountain Medical Center
5121 S Cottenwood St
Salt Lake City, UT 84157
(801)507-7000

St Mark's Hospital
1200 E 3900 South
Salt Lake City, UT 84124
(801)268-7111

Pioneer Valley Hospital
3460 S Pioneer Pkwy
West Valley City, UT 84120
(801)964-3100

Heber Valley Medical Center
1485 S Hwy 40
Heber City, UT 84032
(435)654-2500

Mountain View Hospital
1000 E 100 North
Payson, UT 84651
(801)465-7000

University of Utah Neuropsychiatric Institute
501 Chipeta Way
Salt Lake City, UT 84108
(801)583-2500

George E Wahlen VA Medical Center
500 Foothill Dr
Salt Lake City, UT 84148
(801)582-1565

Huntsman Cancer Hospital
1950 E Circle of Hope
Salt Lake City, UT 84112
(801)587-4013

Mountain West Medical Center
2055 N Main St
Tooele, UT 84074
(435)843-3600

Promise Hospital of Salt Lake City East Campus
1050 E South Temple
Salt Lake City, UT 84102
(801)350-4110

Salt Lake Regional Medical Center
1050 E South Temple
Salt Lake City, UT 84102
(801)350-4111

Primary Children's Medical Center
100 N Mario Capecchi Dr
Salt Lake City, UT 84113
(801)662-1000

University of Utah Hospitals & Clinics
50 N Medical Dr
Salt Lake City, UT 84132
(801)581-2121

LDS Hospital
8th Ave & C St
Salt Lake City, UT 84143
(801)408-1100

Shriners Hospital for Children
Fairfax Rd at Virginia St
Salt Lake City, UT 84103
(801)536-3500

Benchmark Behavioral Health Systems
592 W 1350 South
Woods Cross, UT 84087
(801)299-5300

South Davis Community Hospital
401 S 400 East
Bountiful, UT 84010
(801)295-2361

Lakeview Hospital
630 E Medical Dr
Bountiful, UT 84010
(801)299-2200

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