Can a Tooth Infection Go Away Without Dental Treatment?

 Can a Tooth Infection Go Away on Its Own?

​By Mariam from OralTalkWithMariam 

​Hey Smile Squad! 😁

A tooth infection should not be expected to clear without dental treatment. The pain may reduce or disappear, which can make it seem as though your tooth has healed even when the problem causing the infection is still present.

Why Can Pain from a Tooth Infection Disappear?

Pain from a tooth infection can fade even when your tooth has not healed. Sometimes a small bump on your gum releases fluid, which reduces the pressure around the tooth. The nerve inside your tooth may also become so damaged that it stops sending the same pain signal.

Think of the pain as a smoke alarm. If the alarm stops sounding because its battery has failed, the silence does not mean the smoke has disappeared. In the same way, your tooth becoming quiet does not always mean that the infection has cleared.

What Are the Signs of a Tooth Infection?

A tooth infection may cause pain that does not go away or comes and goes. Chewing with the affected tooth may make the pain feel worse.

The gum around the affected tooth may feel sore or become swollen, even when the tooth itself is not causing much pain.

Tooth pain and swelling around the gum can also occur with other dental problems, so they cannot confirm an infection on their own. The exact cause needs to be checked by a dentist.

Can Antibiotics Cure a Tooth Infection?

Your dentist may prescribe an antibiotic to help control a tooth infection that is severe or spreading. Antibiotics alone may not be enough to treat the cause, Cleveland Clinic explains why dental treatment may also be needed⁠. Take any antibiotic prescribed for you exactly as directed, and do not use leftover medicine or someone else’s prescription.

How Long Can a Tooth Infection Go Untreated?

There is no single waiting period that is safe for every tooth infection. An infection may remain limited for some time or begin spreading sooner, and the amount of pain you feel cannot predict how quickly it will change.

If you suspect that your tooth is infected, arrange a dental examination instead of waiting for the pain to return or become severe. Your dentist can assess the tooth and explain how urgently it needs treatment.

 

How Is a Tooth Infection Treated?

Treatment for a tooth infection is not the same for everyone. Your dentist will examine the affected area and may take an X-ray to find where the problem started and how much damage it has caused.

Depending on what the examination shows, the recommended treatment may aim to deal with the source of the infection and protect the surrounding area. Your dentist can explain the available options, including the possibility of repairing the tooth, before you decide on the next step.

When Is a Tooth Infection an Emergency?

If you think you may have a tooth infection and then develop difficulty breathing or swallowing, you should seek emergency medical care. You do not need to confirm that the symptoms are connected before getting help.

You should also seek emergency medical care if swelling around your mouth or face reaches your eye or changes your vision. 

What Can You Do While Waiting for a Dental Appointment?

While waiting for your appointment, you may take a pain reliever that is safe for you and follow the instructions on the packet. Ask a pharmacist for advice if you are unsure which medicine you can take.

Eating softer foods may make chewing more comfortable. You can also avoid very hot or cold foods if they make the affected tooth hurt.

Pain relief and temporary changes to what you eat may ease your discomfort, but they do not treat the cause of a tooth infection. Keep your dental appointment even if the pain becomes less noticeable.

💙 Mariam’s Wrap

Tell your dentist what you have noticed in your own words. You do not need to remember the exact day the pain started or describe it perfectly. Your dentist can ask questions and examine the tooth to understand what may be causing the problem.

If your dentist later recommends removing the tooth, you may have questions about the space it will leave. Read Do I Really Need to Replace a Missing Tooth?⁠ in Part 1 of the Patients Ask series.

Stay glowing,

Mariam from OralTalkWithMariam