What do I do in a dental emergency?

You can take over-the-counter pain medication like ibuprofen to help with the pain. Icing the affected area can also help with discomfort. If you’re bleeding, absorb the blood with clean gauze, paper towels, or cotton balls. Once it’s time for your appointment, come into our office ASAP for treatment.

What should I do if I've knocked out a tooth?

Recover the tooth. Grab it by the top (crown) to avoid damaging the root. Put it into a container of cold milk to keep it moist.

What should I do about a chipped, broken, or cracked tooth?

Give us a call right away for a same-day appointment. Chipped, cracked, and broken teeth are highly vulnerable to infection, so you need to have your tooth repaired as soon as possible.

Dental Infection Treatment

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‍(512) 961-6200

Infections Don't Resolve Without Treatment

A dental infection happens when bacteria get inside a tooth, under the gumline, or into the bone and soft tissue of your mouth. It can show up in different ways — as a visible abscess, as swelling after a recent procedure, as an ache under an old crown, or as low-grade gum inflammation that keeps coming back. However it presents, a dental infection needs treatment to resolve; it won't clear up on its own.

At Emergency Dentist of Austin, we diagnose exactly where an infection is coming from and treat it directly, so it doesn't have the chance to spread or come back.

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Ways A Dental Infection Can Show Up

A visible abscess or pimple-like bump on the gums

Swelling or pain that develops after a recent extraction or procedure

Ongoing discomfort under an old filling, crown, or broken tooth

Persistent swollen or bleeding gums that don't improve

A bad taste or odor that won't go away

Fever, fatigue, or swollen lymph nodes alongside dental pain

How We Diagnose And Treat Dental Infections

Getting You Treated Without Delay

Same-Day Appointments

Infections tend to get worse, not better, with time. We prioritize same-day visits for patients showing signs of a dental infection.

Evening Appointments

If symptoms show up after your workday ends, let us know — we offer late-hour appointments to avoid unnecessary delay.

Weekend Appointments

We keep weekend appointments open so an infection that flares up on a Saturday doesn't mean waiting until Monday.

Why Treating A Dental Infection Quickly Matters

1

Stop It From Spreading

Left untreated, a dental infection can spread to neighboring teeth, the jawbone, or in rare cases, become a serious medical concern.

2

Get Real Pain Relief

Over-the-counter medication may mask the discomfort of an infection temporarily, but only treating the infection itself resolves the pain.

3

Protect Recent Dental Work

Infections that develop after a procedure or under a restoration need prompt attention to protect the investment you've already made in your smile.

4

Avoid More Invasive Treatment Later

Catching an infection early often means a simpler fix. Waiting can turn a treatable tooth into one that needs extraction.

Care You Can Count On

Areas We Serve

Our dental infection treatment is available to patients throughout Austin, TX and the surrounding areas, including:

Austin

Round Rock

Cedar Park

Georgetown

Kyle

Leander

Elgin

Liberty Hill

Buda

Lakeway

West Lake Hills

Hutto

Manor

Bee Cave

Dripping Springs

Del Valle

Dental Infection Questions, Answered

Got questions about dental infection treatment? Get all the answers you need below.

How Do I Know If I Have A Dental Infection?

Common signs include persistent pain, swelling, a bad taste or odor, sensitivity that lingers, or a low fever. Some infections are obvious, like a visible abscess; others are more subtle, like ongoing discomfort under a crown. An exam is the best way to confirm what's going on.

Can A Dental Infection Go Away Without Treatment?

No. A dental infection is caused by bacteria that needs to be addressed directly — through drainage, a root canal, a cleaning, or another targeted treatment. It will not resolve with time alone.

Is Swelling After An Extraction Normal, Or A Sign Of Infection?

Some swelling in the first day or two after an extraction is normal. Swelling that worsens after the first couple of days, is accompanied by fever, or comes with a foul taste or odor, can be a sign of infection and should be evaluated.

When Is A Dental Infection A Medical Emergency?

If you experience facial swelling, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or a high fever alongside dental pain, seek emergency medical care right away in addition to calling our office.

How Much Does Dental Infection Treatment Cost?

Cost depends on the source and severity of the infection — a cleaning costs less than a root canal or extraction. We offer a guaranteed payment plan to help make treatment accessible.

Will I Need Antibiotics For A Dental Infection?

Not always. Many dental infections are resolved through dental treatment alone. Antibiotics are typically reserved for infections that have spread beyond what a dental procedure can address on its own.