A tooth abscess is a pocket of pus that forms in the jaw bone at the tip of an infected tooth root. The main symptoms of a tooth abscess are throbbing tooth pain, tooth sensitivity to hot and cold foods and liquids, and swelling of the face, cheek, or gums around the tooth. Here’s a look at how long tooth abscess swelling typically lasts.
What causes tooth abscess swelling?
Tooth abscesses form when there is an infection in the tooth’s pulp chamber. The pulp is the soft inner tissue of the tooth that contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. Bacteria can invade the pulp through:
- Advanced tooth decay
- Cracks or chips in the tooth enamel
- An injury that exposes the pulp
Once bacteria infect the pulp, it begins to die. The infection then spreads from the pulp chamber down through the tooth root. It emerges through the tip of the root into the bone where pus begins to form a pocket called an abscess.
The pus builds up pressure inside the bony area around the tooth root. This leads to inflammation and swelling in the tissues around the abscess. The swelling is the body’s natural response to contain the infection.
How long does the swelling last?
The duration of tooth abscess swelling can vary depending on:
- Cause of infection
- Severity of infection
- Location of abscess
- Access to treatment
Some general timelines for how long swelling lasts:
With no treatment
If a tooth abscess is left untreated, the swelling may persist indefinitely as the infection continues to thrive. The swelling can fluctuate in size, sometimes getting bigger and sometimes temporarily going down. But it will never fully go away without treatment.
With antibiotics
Taking antibiotics alone can temporarily reduce tooth abscess swelling by fighting the bacteria causing the infection. However, antibiotics do not get rid of the abscess itself. The average tooth abscess swelling duration when taking antibiotics is 1 to 2 weeks.
With tooth extraction
Extracting the infected tooth removes the source of infection and allows the swelling to start going down. Swelling typically goes away about 2 to 3 days after tooth extraction.
With root canal treatment
A root canal cleans out the infected pulp, drains the abscess, and seals the tooth. Swelling may start resolving within a few days after starting root canal therapy. Complete resolution can take 1 to 2 weeks.
Stages of tooth abscess swelling
Tooth abscess swelling progresses through the following general stages:
Stage 1: Mild inflammation (1 to 3 days)
In the early stages of infection, mild swelling occurs confined to the gum around the affected tooth. The swelling is typically painless.
Stage 2: Moderate swelling (3 to 7 days)
As the infection spreads, the swelling becomes more visible and starts extending beyond the gumline into surrounding areas like the cheek or face. Mild to moderate throbbing pain is felt.
Stage 3: Severe swelling (1 to 2 weeks)
At this advanced stage, the swelling is very large, firm, and painful. The swollen area is red and inflamed. Fever, fatigue, and lymph node swelling in the neck may accompany the tooth abscess swelling.
Stage 4: Cellulitis (2+ weeks)
Cellulitis is a potentially serious spreading bacterial skin infection. The swollen area becomes even larger, more painful, and starts reddening extensively as the infection spreads through connective tissues. Cellulitis requires urgent medical care.
Duration of swelling with treatment
Here is an overview of approximately how long the swelling takes to resolve with prompt treatment at each stage:
| Stage | Swelling Duration with Treatment |
|---|---|
| Stage 1 (Mild) | 2 to 4 days |
| Stage 2 (Moderate) | 5 days to 1 week |
| Stage 3 (Severe) | 1 to 2 weeks |
| Stage 4 (Cellulitis) | 2 to 4 weeks |
However, the specific timeframe can vary significantly based on factors like:
- Individual’s immune health
- virulence of the bacteria causing infection
- Extent of swelling at time treatment begins
- Type of treatment – antibiotics, root canal, extraction, etc
Your dentist will advise you on what to expect for recovery time based on your particular case.
When to see a dentist
It’s important to get evaluated promptly if you have any symptoms of a possible tooth abscess like unexplained swelling or tooth pain. This helps prevent complications and shorten swelling duration. See a dentist right away if you have:
- Significant swelling around any tooth
- Red, inflamed swelling
- Swelling accompanied by fever
- Swelling spreading to the face or neck
- Pain, bleeding, or discharge around a tooth
- Sudden unexplained tooth pain
Don’t delay dental care hoping swelling will get better on its own. Even mild swelling that seems to be going away can quickly flare up again as the infection persists.
Home remedies while awaiting dental treatment
It’s crucial to get professional dental treatment for a tooth abscess as soon as possible. But until you can be seen, you can try some self-care measures at home to temporarily help reduce swelling:
- Salt water rinse: Rinse your mouth with warm salty water 2 to 3 times a day to draw out some infection and inflammation.
- Cold compress: Apply an ice pack or cold cloth to the swollen area for 10 to 15 minutes several times a day. This helps constrict blood vessels and reduce swelling.
- Clove oil: Dab cotton ball soaked in clove oil on the swollen gum area to temporarily numb pain.
- Over-the-counter pain reliever: Nonprescription medications like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) can help relieve associated discomfort.
- Medicated oral rinse: Swish around an antiseptic mouthwash to temporarily kill some bacteria.
Preventing future tooth abscess swelling
Once a tooth abscess resolves, good oral hygiene and preventive dental care can help avoid another occurrence. Be sure to:
- Brush your teeth twice a day using proper technique.
- Floss between all teeth daily.
- Have regular dental cleanings and checkups.
- Get cavities treated promptly before they progress.
- Wear a nightguard if you grind your teeth.
- Use mouthguards when playing sports.
- Limit sugary foods and acidic drinks.
- Quit smoking and tobacco use.
Seeing your dentist quickly at the first sign of tooth or gum problems can help prevent issues from escalating into an abscess.
Conclusion
Tooth abscess swelling duration can range from a few days to several weeks depending on the severity and whether it’s treated. Severe swelling may take 1 to 2 weeks or longer to fully resolve even with dental treatment. The key is prompt diagnosis and care to address the infection and drain the abscess, which allows the swelling to start subsiding faster. Home remedies can provide temporary relief until you can see a dentist. With good oral hygiene and regular dental visits, tooth abscesses and the resulting facial swelling can often be prevented.