Severe Tooth Pain? It Could Be an Abscessed Tooth.
What Ooltewah, TN Patients Need to Know
If you’re experiencing severe tooth pain, facial swelling, or sensitivity that won’t go away, you may have an abscessed tooth. This is a serious dental infection that should not be ignored.
At Cedar Valley Dental Arts in Ooltewah, TN, we help patients quickly diagnose and treat tooth infections before they become more painful — or more dangerous.
What Is an Abscessed Tooth?
A tooth abscess is a pocket of pus caused by a bacterial infection. It typically forms:
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At the tip of the tooth root
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In the gums beside a tooth
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Around a cracked or damaged tooth
Abscesses often develop when:
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A cavity is left untreated
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A tooth is cracked or chipped
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Gum disease progresses
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Previous dental work fails
Without treatment, the infection can spread beyond the tooth.
Signs You May Have a Tooth Abscess
Common symptoms include:
✔ Severe, throbbing tooth pain
✔ Swelling in the face or jaw
✔ Sensitivity to hot or cold
✔ Pain when chewing
✔ A small bump on the gums
✔ Bad taste in the mouth
✔ Fever (in more serious cases)
If you’re in Ooltewah, Collegedale, or Chattanooga and experiencing these symptoms, it’s important to seek dental care as soon as possible.
Is a Tooth Abscess an Emergency?
Yes — in many cases, it is.
An untreated abscess can lead to:
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Jawbone damage
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Sinus infection
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Spread of infection to other parts of the body
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Increased swelling that affects breathing or swallowing
If you have facial swelling, fever, or difficulty swallowing, call a dentist immediately.
Cedar Valley Dental Arts offers prompt evaluations for dental infections in the Ooltewah area.
How Is an Abscessed Tooth Treated?
Treatment depends on the severity of the infection. Options may include:
🦷 Draining the abscess
🦷 Root canal therapy to save the tooth
🦷 Tooth extraction (if the tooth cannot be saved)
🦷 Antibiotics when necessary
Our goal is to relieve your pain quickly and eliminate the infection at its source.
Preventing Tooth Infections
The best way to avoid an abscessed tooth is through preventive dental care:
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Regular cleanings and exams
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Treating cavities early
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Addressing cracked or broken teeth promptly
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Managing gum disease
If you’re searching for a dentist in Ooltewah, TN for tooth pain or infection treatment, Cedar Valley Dental Arts is here to help.
Tooth Pain in Ooltewah? Don’t Wait.
Dental infections rarely go away on their own — and waiting often makes treatment more complex.

