A dental abscess is a painful infection that develops near the root of a tooth or in the gums. It usually occurs when bacteria enter the tooth through cavities, cracks, or gum disease.
Symptoms often include severe throbbing pain, swelling in the face or jaw, fever, bad breath, and a persistent bad taste in the mouth.
A dental abscess requires immediate treatment because the infection can spread to other parts of the body. Dentists typically treat abscesses by draining the infection and prescribing antibiotics if necessary.
In many cases, tooth extraction may be required to eliminate the source of the infection.