Willis Family DentistryWaynesboro

Emergency Care

Dental Abscess

An abscess is a localized infection — usually at the root of a tooth or in the gums. It needs prompt care.

Signs of an abscess

Severe, throbbing pain, swelling in your gums or face, fever, a bad taste in your mouth, and a tender bump on your gums are all common signs. If swelling is spreading rapidly or affecting your breathing or swallowing, go directly to the nearest emergency room.

Treatment

Treatment usually involves draining the infection, addressing the source (often through root canal therapy or, less commonly, extraction), and sometimes antibiotics. The goal is to clear the infection and save the tooth when possible.

Don’t wait

Untreated infections can spread. Call us as soon as you notice symptoms so we can get you in.

Call us right now

540-943-9703

Frequently Asked

Common questions

What are the signs of a dental abscess?
A persistent throbbing toothache, swelling in your gum or face, a bad taste, fever, swollen lymph nodes under the jaw, sensitivity to heat or pressure, and sometimes a small pimple-like bump on the gum. Any of these mean it is time to call.
Will antibiotics alone fix it?
No. Antibiotics can quiet the infection temporarily, but the abscess will return until the source — an infected nerve or gum pocket — is actually treated with a root canal, periodontal therapy, or extraction. Antibiotics are bridge therapy, not the cure.
When should I go to the ER instead?
Go to the emergency room immediately if you have facial swelling spreading toward your eye or down your neck, fever above 101°F with the dental pain, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or feel generally very ill. These signs can indicate a dangerous spread of infection.
Is an abscess painful?
Usually, yes — a deep, throbbing, often worsening pain. Sometimes the abscess drains on its own, the pressure releases, and the pain temporarily fades. That is not healing — the infection is still there. Call us either way.

Why patients on Pelham Drive choose Willis Family Dentistry Waynesboro

Dr. Tyler Youn, DDS is calm, unhurried, and trained at University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry — and he believes the most important skill in dentistry is listening. Patients across Waynesboro, the 22980 corridor, Stuarts Draft, Fishersville, and Lyndhurst choose Willis Family Dentistry Waynesboro on Pelham Drive because every visit feels like a real conversation, not a sales pitch. We talk about cost up front, accept most major PPO insurance plans, and offer the Virginia Dental Club membership for patients without insurance — so cost is never the reason a smile waits. Open Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm at 101 Pelham Dr, Waynesboro 22980. Call 540-943-9703 or request an appointment online.