A dental abscess can cause a range of symptoms. Some of the most common include:
- Severe, persistent, throbbing toothache that can radiate to the jawbone, neck, or ear
- Sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures
- Sensitivity to the pressure of chewing or biting
- Fever
- Swelling in your face or cheek
- Tender, swollen lymph nodes under your jaw or in your neck
- Sudden rush of foul-smelling and foul-tasting, salty fluid in your mouth and pain relief, if the abscess ruptures
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
If you have any of these symptoms, especially fever, swelling in your face, or difficulty breathing or swallowing, you should seek medical attention immediately. These symptoms may indicate that the infection has spread deeper into your jaw and surrounding tissue or even to other areas of your body.
