PlushCare / Online Doctor / Primary Care / Tooth Infection
In order to treat your tooth infection, consult with one of our board-certified doctors online today to learn how to help your pain, swelling, or bad breath. Get a new prescription to treat a tooth infection if needed, or refill an existing prescription today.
Medication services available 24/7 for adults and kids (3+)
Top quality, board-certified doctors
No insurance needed
Same-day prescriptions available*
*prescriptions provided at doctor’s discretion
Most patients with in-network insurance pay $30 or less. Otherwise, new patient visits are $129 and follow-ups are only $69 for members.
Step 1
Book a same day appointment from anywhere.
Step 2
Visit with a doctor on your smartphone or computer.
Step 3
We can send prescriptions to any local pharmacy.
Step 1
Book a same day appointment from anywhere.
Step 2
Visit with a doctor on your smartphone or computer.
Step 3
We can send prescriptions to any local pharmacy.
How pricing works
To request tooth infection treatment and get a new or refill on your prescription, join our monthly membership and get discounted visits
$14.99/month
First month free
Copay
For all visits
Often the same as an office visit. Most patients with in-network insurance pay $30 or less!
$14.99/month
First month free
$129
Repeats only $69
Initial visits are $129 and follow-ups are only $69 for active members.
If we're unable to treat you, we'll provide a full refund.
The mouth is a dynamic place that gets constant exposure to the external environment. There are bacteria that reside in the mouth and they are able to grow on the food residues and moistures in our mouth. Lack of regular cleaning can make the mouth a conducive place for bacteria to colonize, grow and cause bacterial infection.
Below are a few common tooth infections:
Conditions that create an opening for bacteria to get into the tooth itself or surrounding tissues are potential causes of tooth infections. A tooth abscess is a pocket of pus that is caused by a bacterial infection. Oral hygiene, diet, and genetic predisposition are also risk factors for tooth infection. The 3 most common causes of tooth infections are:
Destruction of the tooth enamel generates openings for the bacteria to move deeper into the tooth and cause periapical abscess. Plaque formation plays a very important role in the development of dental cavities and tooth infection. Plaque is a collection of bacteria that sticks to the surface of the tooth, promoting tooth decay.
Inflammation of the gums surrounding the tooth, causing periodontal abscess.
A broken or chipped tooth provides direct access for the bacteria to migrate deeper into the tooth, causing dental abscesses.
Tooth infection medications primarily fall into the two main functional groups:
Dentists can prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection. A doctor can also prescribe antibiotics for a tooth infection before the tooth is treated by the dentist, in order to prevent the bacteria from spreading. Antibiotics are only prescribed by a doctor after a medical evaluation. When prescribed antibiotics, be sure to finish the entire course of the prescription.
Over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol) and ibuprofen (e.g. Motrin, Advil) can be taken to reduce swelling, ease discomfort, and provide temporary relief to severe pain.
For tooth infection prevention, the key is to have lifestyle practices that promote good oral health hygiene. Effective practices include:
You should always see your dentist to get treatment for abscessed teeth and mouth pain. Do not delay treatment, as the infection does not go away on its own. The bacterial population will continue to spread, causing further tooth decay and damage to gum tissue.
Untreated tooth infections can spread to the other teeth and other parts of the body causing other health issues. Along with tooth infections, if you start to experience the following symptoms, they may be signals that the infection is spreading:
When you see your dentist, the dentist will typically perform one of the following to treat an abscessed tooth:
One obvious symptom of tooth infection is tooth pain with the following possible characteristics:
Additional symptoms may include:
While the best treatment is prevention, the treatment decision ultimately depends on the severity of the infection and what your dentist decides. In general, the removal of the infected site, whether by incision and drainage of the abscess, root canal, or tooth extraction, is the most important step.
>One key symptom of tooth infection is tooth pain with other symptoms, such as sensitivity to temperatures and pressures, fever, and facial swelling.
A tooth infection will not go away on its own. You should always see your dentist as soon as possible to get treatment for abscessed teeth and mouth pain. Delaying proper treatment will give the infection time to spread to surrounding teeth and gums.
The longer a tooth infection is left untreated, the wider the infection will spread and cause other health complications detrimental to health.
