Can you pull a tooth with an abscess?

Can you pull a tooth with an abscess?

The NHS says that if a tooth problem caused the abscess, you may need root canal treatment or the tooth may be removed, after the dentist drains the pus under local anesthetic. Cleveland Clinic lists three treatments: incision and drainage, root canal treatment, and extraction if the tooth is damaged beyond repair. Neither page says whether an abscessed tooth is pulled while the abscess is active or after the infection is controlled with drainage or antibiotics. Healthline's article on tooth infections adds that antibiotics alone usually do not resolve an abscess and are typically given alongside a root canal or extraction. The timing is a clinical decision for your dentist or oral surgeon.

Root canal or pull the tooth?

Cleveland Clinic says a root canal removes infected pulp and fills the space to prevent reinfection, and that a crown may be needed afterwards to protect the tooth, while extraction is considered when the tooth cannot be repaired. Its extraction page says dentists prefer saving natural teeth with restorations like fillings or crowns, and that extraction may be the best way to eliminate infection when a tooth is severely broken or infected. Our guides on root canals and extraction explain the process, and your dentist can say whether your tooth can be saved.

Why you should not wait

The NHS says a dental abscess will not go away on its own. Cleveland Clinic says untreated infection can spread to the jawbone and soft tissues of the face and neck and, in extremely rare cases, to the heart or brain, and that pain may stop once the pulp dies while bacteria continue to damage surrounding tissue. Healthline says deaths are now uncommon, but an untreated tooth infection can be life-threatening. See our tooth infection guide.

Can I take ibuprofen after a tooth extraction?

Cleveland Clinic lists ibuprofen and acetaminophen as over-the-counter pain relievers after extraction and says to take all medications exactly as directed. The NHS says paracetamol or ibuprofen can help with pain. Ask your dentist or surgeon which one suits you and for how long, because medical history and other medicines matter, and they may advise against some after surgery.

Can I use mouthwash or Listerine after tooth extraction?

Cleveland Clinic says to rinse the site gently with an antimicrobial mouthwash two to three times a day and to avoid brushing directly over the extraction site until your dentist says it is safe. The NHS says to rinse gently with mouthwash or warm salt water to keep the wound clean. Neither page names a brand, so ask your dentist whether a specific product, including an alcohol-containing one, is suitable and when to start. Rinse gently without forceful swishing.

Can I use Orajel after a tooth extraction?

Neither Cleveland Clinic nor the NHS aftercare page mentions numbing gels like Orajel. Ask your dentist before using one on an extraction socket, because products are not designed for open wounds. If pain is not controlled by the pain relief your dentist advised, the NHS says to contact an urgent dentist or NHS 111.

Can I have ice cream after tooth extraction?

Cleveland Clinic does not mention ice cream and suggests soft foods such as rice, pasta, eggs, yogurt and applesauce, and says not to use straws because drinking through one can cause dry socket. The NHS says to eat soft or liquid food until chewing is comfortable and to avoid very hot drinks. Cold, soft foods are generally gentle, but eat them from a spoon, not a straw, and follow your surgeon's advice.

Getting dentures after an extraction

Cleveland Clinic says to discuss replacement options with your dentist, and lists implants, bridges and partial dentures, adding that for implants you will probably need to wait a few months while the socket heals. It does not specify denture timing. Our dentures guides explain that immediate dentures are worn right after extraction, and that they may need relining as the gums heal.

Questions to ask your dentist

Ask for a plan before treatment starts.

• Can this tooth be saved, or does it need extraction?
• Will the abscess be drained first, and will I need antibiotics?
• What should I expect during healing, and what is too much pain or bleeding?
• Which pain relief and mouthwash should I use, and when?
• When can I replace the tooth, and with what?

Frequently asked questions