Tooth Abscess Treatment in Aurora
An abscess is a pocket of infection at the root of a tooth or in the gum. It will not clear up on its own, so it needs a dentist to find the source and treat it.
The short answer
A dental abscess is a pocket of pus caused by a bacterial infection in a tooth or the gum around it. It needs dental treatment: draining the infection and fixing the cause, usually with root canal treatment, a gum cleaning or removing the tooth. In Aurora, call Aurora Gateway Dental at 289-475-5497. Swelling that affects breathing or swallowing needs 911.
- Visits
- 1 visit to relieve the infection, then visits to treat the cause
- Timeline
- Depends on whether the tooth needs a root canal, gum care or removal
- Comfort
- Local freezing; relief often follows once pressure is released
- Coverage
- Exams and treatment are often covered; CDCP includes endodontic and oral surgery services
- Dentist
- Our dentists
At a glance
What it is
An abscess forms when bacteria get somewhere they should not and the body walls them off with pus. There are two main kinds. A tooth abscess starts inside the tooth, when deep decay, a crack or an old injury lets bacteria reach the pulp. The nerve dies, and infection collects at the tip of the root in the bone. A gum abscess starts in a deep pocket between the tooth and gum, usually linked to gum disease or something trapped below the gum line.
Signs can include throbbing pain, a bad taste, a tender or loose tooth, swelling of the gum or face, or a pimple-like bump on the gum that may leak fluid. Some people have a fever or swollen glands under the jaw. An abscessed tooth can also be quiet. If the pus drains through the gum, the pain may ease, which can feel like the problem is over. It is not. The NHS notes that a dental abscess will not go away on its own.
Treatment has two parts: releasing the infection and removing its source. The dentist may drain the pus through the tooth or with a small opening in the gum. For a tooth abscess, root canal treatment cleans out the infected pulp so the tooth can be kept; if the tooth cannot be saved, it is removed. For a gum abscess, the pocket is cleaned and the gum disease behind it is treated. Antibiotics may be added if infection is spreading or you are unwell, but on their own they do not fix the cause.
Know the danger signs. Swelling that spreads toward your eye or down your neck, trouble breathing or swallowing, or a high fever with a swollen face need care right away. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Is it right for me?
- You have throbbing tooth pain that keeps you up at night.
- Your gum or cheek near one tooth is swollen.
- There is a small bump on your gum that comes and goes or leaks a salty taste.
- A tooth feels raised, loose or very tender to bite on.
- You were told a tooth has a dead nerve or an infection on an X-ray.
Step by step
- Call usPhone 289-475-5497 and describe your pain and swelling. If we're closed, follow the instructions on our line.
- Exam and X-rayYour dentist checks the swelling, tests the teeth nearby and takes an X-ray to see whether the source is the tooth or the gum.
- Relieve the infectionWith the area frozen, the dentist drains the pus, either through the tooth or the gum. Antibiotics are prescribed only when needed.
- Treat the sourceThis may be root canal treatment, a deep gum cleaning, or removing the tooth, depending on what caused it.
- Check healingWe see you again to make sure the swelling is gone and plan any crown or follow-up care.
How it compares
| Question | Root canal treatment | Gum treatment | Tooth removal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Used when | Infection starts inside the tooth | Infection starts in a gum pocket | Tooth cannot be saved |
| Keeps the tooth | Yes | Yes | No |
| Usual next step | Crown or filling | Ongoing gum care | Plan to replace the gap |
General information. Your dentist will explain what applies to you.
Benefits and risks
Benefits
- Draining the infection often relieves pressure and pain quickly.
- Treating the source lowers the chance of the abscess coming back.
- Root canal treatment lets you keep a tooth that might otherwise be lost.
- Early care helps stop infection spreading to the jaw or nearby tissue.
Risks and limits
- Tenderness and some swelling are common for a few days after drainage.
- Antibiotics can cause side effects such as stomach upset or allergic reactions.
- An abscess can return if the cause is not fully treated.
- Some teeth are too damaged to keep and need to be removed.
- Untreated, infection can spread and become a serious medical problem.
Cost and coverage
An abscess usually means an emergency exam and X-ray first, then treatment for the cause, so the total depends on whether the tooth needs a root canal, gum treatment or removal. We use the Ontario Dental Association fee guide as our reference. Most insurance plans cover emergency exams, and many cover root canal treatment and extractions as basic services. The Canadian Dental Care Plan includes diagnostic services, endodontic care and oral surgery among its covered categories, and IFHP may also apply. We bill all plans directly. Ask about our in-house dental plan and student program. Once the infection is settled, you'll get a written estimate for the next steps.
What shapes your estimate
- Whether the cause is the tooth or the gum
- X-rays and the emergency exam
- Root canal treatment, gum cleaning or removal
- A crown or filling after root canal treatment
- Replacing the tooth if it has to come out
Read more about insurance and payment, the Canadian Dental Care Plan and IFHP coverage.
After your visit
- Take any antibiotics exactly as prescribed and finish the course unless told otherwise.
- Use over-the-counter pain relief only as the label or your dentist directs.
- Eat soft foods and chew on the other side for a few days.
- Rinse gently with warm salt water if your dentist suggests it.
- Call us if swelling grows, fever starts, or pain returns.
Questions
Will an abscess go away on its own?
No. The pain may ease if it drains, but the infection stays at the source. Without treatment it can return or spread. Please have it checked even if it feels better.
Can antibiotics cure a tooth abscess?
Antibiotics can calm a spreading infection, but they cannot reach dead tissue inside a tooth or clean a gum pocket. The cause still has to be treated with drainage and root canal treatment, gum care or removal.
What can I do at home while I wait to be seen?
Take over-the-counter pain relief as directed, eat soft foods and brush gently. A cold pack on the outside of your cheek may help. Do not put heat on the swelling or place aspirin on the gum.
Is a gum abscess different from a tooth abscess?
Yes. A gum abscess starts in a pocket between the tooth and gum and is often linked to gum disease. A tooth abscess starts inside the tooth. The X-ray and exam tell us which it is, which guides treatment.
When is an abscess a hospital emergency?
Call 911 or go to an emergency department if swelling affects breathing or swallowing, spreads toward your eye or neck, or you feel very unwell with a high fever. Do not wait for a dental appointment in these cases.
Reviewed by the dentists at Aurora Gateway Dental Care. Last updated October 29, 2026. This page is general information, not personal medical advice.
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676 Wellington Street East, Unit 3
Aurora, ON L4G 0K3