Dental Abscess Emergency in Green Bay, WI

Emergency Dental Care When You Need It Most at Allouez Family Dental

A dental abscess is a serious bacterial infection that creates a pocket of pus around an affected tooth or in the surrounding tissues. This painful condition requires immediate attention from an emergency dentist near you. If you’re experiencing throbbing pain, facial swelling, or fever, you may need urgent dental treatment to prevent the infection from spreading to your upper or lower jaw, connective tissue, or bloodstream.

Contact our emergency dentists in Green Bay at (920) 339-8980 for same-day dental abscess treatment! We serve patients throughout Green Bay, Abrams, Denmark, Casco, Seymour, and surrounding Wisconsin communities with prompt, professional emergency dental care.

What Is a Dental Abscess?

A tooth abscess occurs when bacteria invade the tooth’s pulp (containing blood vessels and nerves) or surrounding gum tissue, creating a localized infection. Left untreated, this bacterial infection can spread beyond the affected area, leading to severe complications, including sepsis—a life-threatening condition requiring immediate hospital emergency room care.

Types of Dental Abscesses Our Green Bay Emergency Dentist Treats:

• Periapical Abscess: Forms at the tooth root tip, typically from untreated tooth decay or dental trauma. This type affects the tooth’s pulp and surrounding tissues.
• Periodontal Abscess: Develops in the gums and supporting bone structure, often caused by advanced gum disease or trapped debris between teeth and gum tissue.
• Gingival Abscess: Limited to the gum tissue, usually caused by foreign objects like food particles becoming lodged in the gums.

Recognizing Dental Abscess Symptoms

Call our emergency dentists in Green Bay right away if you experience:

• Severe toothache that radiates to your jaw, ear, or neck
• Facial swelling affecting your cheek, jaw, or surrounding tissues
• Throbbing pain that worsens with pressure or hot/cold food
• Fever or chills indicate the infection may be spreading
• Difficulty swallowing or breathing (seek urgent medical care immediately)
• Bitter taste or foul odor in your mouth
• Ear pain or jaw sensitivity
• Swollen lymph nodes under your jaw or neck
• Difficulty opening your mouth or chewing

Warning: If you experience difficulty breathing, severe facial swelling, or high fever, go to the nearest hospital emergency room immediately, then contact our dental office at (920) 339-8980.

Common Causes of Tooth Abscess: Why Bacterial Infections Develop

Understanding what causes a dental abscess can help you prevent developing dental abscesses:

• Untreated dental cavity: Bacteria penetrate the tooth enamel, reaching the pulp
• Advanced gum disease: Creates pockets where bacteria thrive
• Dental trauma: Cracked or chipped teeth expose pulp to infection
• Failed dental work: Leaky dental fillings or tooth crowns allow bacterial re-entry
• Poor oral health: Inadequate brushing with fluoride toothpaste and flossing
• Weakened immune system: Conditions like diabetes increase infection risk
• Dry mouth: Reduced saliva allows harmful bacteria to multiply

Managing Tooth Pain Before Seeing Our Emergency Dentist

While waiting for your emergency appointment, these steps can provide temporary pain relief:

Safe Pain Management:

• Rinse with warm saltwater several times daily to reduce bacteria
• Take over-the-counter pain relievers (ibuprofen or acetaminophen) following dosage instructions
• Apply a cold compress to the affected area for 15 minutes to reduce swelling
• Stick to soft foods and avoid extremely hot or cold food and beverages

Important: Never attempt to drain the abscess yourself, as this can spread the infection to surrounding teeth and tissues.

Professional Emergency Dental Treatment Options in Green Bay

Our experienced emergency dentists, Dr. Daniel Fama and Dr. Kyle Whiteside, provide comprehensive tooth abscess treatment:

Abscess Drainage

We carefully drain the pocket of pus under local anesthesia, immediately relieving pressure and severe pain while eliminating infected material.

Root Canal Treatment

For periapical abscesses affecting the tooth root, root canal therapy removes infected pulp, thoroughly cleans the interior, and seals the tooth to prevent reinfection. This procedure often saves the natural tooth.

Tooth Extraction

In severe cases where the tooth can’t be restored properly, tooth extraction may be necessary. We’ll discuss replacement options, including dental implants, to restore your smile.

Antibiotic Therapy

When the infection spreads or patients have a weakened immune system, we prescribe targeted antibiotics to eliminate bacteria and prevent complications.

Follow-up Care

We monitor your healing and ensure the restored tooth properly integrates with the surrounding tissues.

Preventing Future Dental Abscesses

Daily Prevention Tips:

• Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste using a soft toothbrush
• Floss daily to remove plaque between teeth
• Limit sugary foods and drinks that fuel harmful bacteria
• See a dentist regularly for checkups and professional cleanings
• Wear a mouthguard during sports or if you grind teeth at night
• Address dental problems promptly before they become emergencies
• Quit smoking to reduce gum disease risk

Emergency Care: When Dental Abscesses Become Life-Threatening

Seek immediate hospital care if you experience:

• Severe facial swelling affecting your airway
• High fever (over 101°F)
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Spreading infection to the neck or chest areas
• Signs of sepsis (confusion, rapid heartbeat, extreme weakness)

In these extremely rare cases, hospital emergency room treatment may be necessary before dental intervention.

Frequently Asked Questions