You know you feel awful and your mouth is the source of the pain, but how do you know if it is an abscess? Of course, the most obvious answer would be to schedule the emergency visit with your dentist, but for those who just want to know the warning signs, this article intends to be your guide.

An abscess is an infection in the mouth that exists at the root of a tooth or between the gum and the tooth. It can be very painful, but will also come with a host of other symptoms. The severity of these can vary substantially from person to person, and some individuals will not notice all of them.

In most cases, however, fever will accompany the pain, which will be localized. In other words, you should be able to point to a single area that hurts. This area will also be more sensitive to hot and cold than it would be otherwise. The neck glands can become swollen and sore and the sufferer can also begin to feel ill.

In addition to this, a person with an abscess will typically have suddenly foul breath and may complain of a bad taste in his or her mouth that will not go away. The area of infection may appear red, swollen, or may even have an open sore on the side of the gum.

It is important to get immediate care if you show the symptoms of abscess. This type of infection can kill the root of the tooth and may continue to spread throughout the mouth if not treated.

For more information on this topic, read the full article.