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February 10, 2012
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Dental Abscess (cont.)

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When to Seek Medical Care

If you think you have an abscess, call your dentist. If you cannot reach a dentist, go to your physician or a hospital's emergency department for evaluation, especially if you feel sick.

  • If an infection becomes so painful that it cannot be managed by nonprescription medicines, see your doctor or dentist immediately. Drainage might be required.


  • If you develop fever, chills, nausea, or vomiting as a result of a dental abscess, see your doctor.

If you have intolerable pain, difficulty breathing or swallowing, any of the symptoms of a dental abscess, or you cannot reach your doctor or dentist during off hours, go to a hospital's emergency department for evaluation and treatment. By seeking treatment before your symptoms progress to this stage, you can avoid emergency department visits.

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Read What Your Physician is Reading on Medscape

Dental Abscess »

A dentoalveolar abscess is an acute lesion characterized by localization of pus in the structures that surround the teeth.

Read More on Medscape Reference »

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