How to get rid of a tooth abscess without antibiotics

Key takeaways:

• A tooth infection can start without symptoms, so good dental hygiene is important.

• Tooth infections and abscesses are usually treated with antibiotics and dental procedures. 

• It’s important to treat any dental infection before it spreads or leads to complications.

Most people know that tooth infections are best avoided. Tooth infections are painful and they can result in teeth needing to be pulled. Worse, they can cause very real health complications that extend far beyond the mouth. 

Everyone has germs in their mouths. In fact, bacteria cover our teeth, tongue, and every other surface of the mouth. But a healthy mouth has natural protection against infection. When cracks appear in that armor — through cavities, gum disease, or dental trauma — bacteria can find their way in and start to cause trouble. 

Tooth infections can affect the tooth itself, or they can cause pockets of infection in the tooth root and nearby gums. These pockets of infection are called abscesses. Keep reading to find out what to do if your tooth is causing you trouble. 

Tooth infection symptoms

Pain is often the most common sign of a tooth infection — but the pain isn’t always limited to the affected tooth. Because our teeth are connected to so many nerves, pain from an infected tooth can extend into the jaw, face, and neck. 

Other signs to look for include:

• Tooth sensitivity to heat, cold, and/or pressure

• Tenderness around the tooth

• Swelling of the mouth, jaw, or face

The difference between an abscess and a tooth infection

If a tooth infection invades the tissue around the root, it can cause a pocket of pus to form at the root’s tip. This is called an abscess. 

Tooth abscess

A tooth abscess develops when a tooth infection invades the deep tissue in the root of the tooth or the surrounding gums. Pus from the infection can collect around the tooth’s root or in a pocket of gum tissue around the tooth. As the infection spreads, pressure from the trapped pus builds up on the inner walls of the tooth, which can cause intense pain. 

Tooth infection stages

A tooth infection progresses through several stages to become an abscess.

• Enamel decay. The sticky film (plaque) that forms on your teeth between brushing contains bacteria. Over time, these bacteria release acid, which can damage the enamel, or outer layer of the tooth.

• Dentin decay. Bacteria breaks through the outer surface of the tooth and infects the layer underneath. This is a softer layer of the enamel, also known as the dentin.

• Pulp decay. The bacteria progress to the center of the tooth, called the pulp — which is even more vulnerable — and attack the nerve.

Left untreated, a tooth infection can continue to grow and spread beyond the center of the tooth. This can lead to the formation of a pocket of pus, called an abscess, that becomes trapped in the tooth, jawbone, or gum tissue.

Tooth infection causes

Tooth infections and abscesses are usually caused when bacteria get into the tooth and surrounding tissues. As mentioned earlier, this can happen if there is damage to the natural protective defenses in the mouth, such as the tooth enamel and gums. Tooth infections in particular, tend to surface as a result of:

• Cavities

• Gum damage (periodontal disease)

Cavities and gum damage are both caused by poor oral hygiene and the buildup of dental plaque on and around the teeth.    

Other less common causes of dental infections include dental trauma, such as a cracked tooth, or dental procedures. 

Tooth infection treatment

Treatment for a tooth infection will depend on your symptoms and how far the infection has progressed. Most people will need antibiotics and pain relief medications. 

In some cases, people may need surgery to drain an abscess and remove dead tissue. More complicated or extensive infections may require antibiotic treatment for weeks or even months. 

Let’s take a closer look at the different treatment options below. 

Antibiotics for tooth infections

You’ll likely take antibiotics for 7 to 10 days to get rid of your tooth infection. Dentists usually have a few different options of antibiotics that they prescribe, which we’ll cover below.

Penicillin antibiotics

Penicillins are a group of antibiotics including:

• Penicillin 

• Amoxicillin

• Amoxicillin/potassium clavulanate

Amoxicillin is usually the first choice for tooth infection treatment. If your tooth infection is more serious, your dentist may prescribe a combination of amoxicillin and another drug called Clavulanate. This combination is stronger and more effective against tooth infections.

Clindamycin

In some cases, the bacteria causing your tooth infection can be resistant to amoxicillin. If so, your dentist may prescribe clindamycin. Or, if you have a penicillin allergy, you might be prescribed this medication instead.

Metronidazole

Metronidazole is another antibiotic that could be useful for treating a tooth infection, but it’s not used by itself. Dentists often prescribe penicillin and metronidazole together in order to combat strains of bacteria that may be resistant to penicillin alone. 

Just be mindful to avoid all alcohol or alcohol-containing products — mouthwash, for example — while taking metronidazole. Consuming alcohol with metronidazole can make you seriously ill.

Can you get antibiotics for a tooth infection over-the-counter?

Antibiotics for tooth infections require a prescription from a healthcare provider. The FDA cautions against using leftover antibiotics from a previous illness or medicines prescribed for someone else. This is to help combat the growing problem of antibiotic resistance.

Dental treatment for tooth infections 

Beyond antibiotics, several dental procedures can help treat tooth infections:

• Cavity filling: A hole in the tooth enamel caused by decay can be repaired by filling it. The damaged area is drilled out and new filling is added.

• Removal of the tooth pulp: Pulpitis can be treated by removing the pulp from the upper part of the tooth.

• Root canal: If there is severe decay, the complete root and pulp will need to be removed.

• Extraction: In some cases, if there is too much damage to the tooth for it to be saved, the dentist will pull it out. 

Home remedies for tooth infection

There are ways to relieve the pain and swelling from a tooth infection at home. Steps you might try on your own include:

• Rinsing your mouth with warm salt water

• Applying baking soda paste to the tooth

• Rinsing with diluted hydrogen peroxide

• Using cold compresses 

• Taking over-the-counter (OTC) pain relief medicines such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

• Using herbal treatments such as clove oil, vanilla extract, peppermint tea bags, or garlic paste on the tooth.

Remember, if you experience tooth infection symptoms, it’s important to see a dentist as soon as possible. While these steps can reduce discomfort and pain, a tooth infection is unlikely to go away without treatment.

How can I tell if my tooth infection has spread?

It’s possible for a tooth infection to spread to other areas of the body. Some examples include:

• Face

• Jaw

• Neck

• Bloodstream

• Brain (rarely)

Signs that suggest a tooth infection may have spread beyond the tooth include: 

• Fever

• Chills

• Skin redness 

• Swelling in your neck or face

• Pain when opening your mouth or touching your jaw or face

• Sore throat

• Change in your voice

• Stiff neck

• Changes in mood or vision

• Confusion and extreme drowsiness

• Severe pain

• Overall feeling of being unwell

If you experience any of the above symptoms, get medical help or visit the emergency room right away. Any untreated infection in the body can cause a life-threatening reaction called sepsis. 

The bottom line

Tooth infections are painful, but they can be treated with antibiotics, pain medication, and if needed, some dental procedures. It’s best to treat tooth infections as early as possible in order to prevent them from progressing into an abscess or spreading to other parts of the body. 

Practicing proper dental hygiene, like brushing and flossing regularly, can prevent the build-up of plaque. Too much plaque can cause cavities and gum disease — the two leading causes of tooth infections. 

GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.

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