Do this right now
Check the ER signs first
Swelling that closes an eye or spreads down the neck, trouble swallowing or breathing, fever with chills: emergency room, not us.
Call (530) 406-1730
Say “swelling” or “abscess”. This is seen the same day, Monday to Friday.
Warm salt-water rinses
Several times an hour if you can; it draws pus out and eases pressure.
Pain relief you can normally take
Ibuprofen, or acetaminophen if you cannot take it, as the label says. Do not exceed the dose to chase the pain.
Cold compress outside, never heat
Heat pulls the infection outward and makes swelling worse.
Do not
- Popping the “pimple” on the gum with a needle or pin
- Leftover antibiotics from a previous prescription without seeing us
- Heat packs on the face
- Waiting over a weekend if the swelling is growing — go to the ER
Go to the ER instead of us if
- Swelling that closes the eye, or spreads under the jaw or down the neck.
- Difficulty swallowing, opening your mouth, or breathing.
- Fever above 101°F (38.3°C) with facial swelling.
- Bleeding will not stop after 15 minutes of firm pressure.
- There was a blow to the head with confusion, vomiting or loss of consciousness.
We are open Monday to Thursday 8 AM to 5 PM and Friday 9 AM to 2 PM and are not a 24-hour clinic. The nearest ER is Woodland Memorial Hospital, 2000 Sutter Place — or call 911.
What we do at the visit
X-ray to find the source
An abscess starts in a dead tooth nerve or deep in the gum. The X-ray shows which.
Drain it, numb first
Releasing the pressure gives relief within minutes. Antibiotics are prescribed where needed.
Treat the tooth
A root canal saves the tooth in most cases; an extraction when it cannot be saved. Either can be started the same visit, with the fee in writing first.
Gum abscess: deep cleaning
When the gum, not the tooth, is the source, a deep cleaning of the pocket clears it.
What it costs
The emergency exam and X-ray fee is quoted when you call. Any treatment is priced in writing before it starts, and nothing is done without your OK. Most PPO plans cover emergency exams; monthly plans through CareCredit and Cherry. We do not accept HMO plans or Medi-Cal.
Request a same-day call
Three details and we call you. If it hurts badly, calling is faster: (530) 406-1730
Questions people ask
Will antibiotics alone fix a dental abscess?
No. Antibiotics calm the infection for a while, but the source — a dead nerve or a deep gum pocket — has to be treated or the abscess returns, often bigger.
Is a dental abscess dangerous?
Left alone it can spread to the jaw, the sinuses or, rarely, the bloodstream. Treated the same day it is routine. That is why we do not leave swelling until next week.
Why does the pain sometimes stop?
When the abscess bursts or the nerve dies, pressure drops and the pain fades. The infection is still there. Please still come in.
Can I be seen today for swelling?
Yes, during office hours Monday to Friday. Call (530) 406-1730. Outside those hours, the emergency room can start antibiotics; we treat the tooth on the next weekday.
Other dental emergencies
Emergency dentist near: Davis · West Sacramento · Dixon · Winters · Esparto · Knights Landing