Oct 16, 2025
How to Stop a Dental Infection From Spreading: Emergency Guide
By Dr. Leslie Patrick, DMD
When you have a severe toothache and notice swelling in your gums or face, you're dealing with more than just a cavity, you likely have a dental infection, or abscess. In this situation, the infection has the potential to spread, and your primary concern is, "What can I do right now to stop this from getting worse?"
At Smyrna Dental Studio, we want to be very clear: the only way to truly stop an infection is with professional treatment. However, there are crucial first-aid steps you can take to manage your symptoms and help contain the situation while you arrange for an emergency appointment. This guide will provide you with a safe action plan.
The Danger of a Spreading Dental Infection
A dental abscess is a pocket of pus caused by a bacterial infection. Because it is trapped in the bone and tissue, the pressure builds, causing severe pain. If left untreated, your body will attempt to release this pressure, and the infection will begin to spread into the surrounding tissues of your cheek, jaw, or even your neck and airway. This is a serious medical situation.
When to Go to the Hospital ER Immediately
This is the most important decision you will make. While your dentist should handle the tooth, you need to go to the nearest hospital emergency room if you have signs of a severe, spreading infection, which include:
Facial swelling combined with a high fever.
Difficulty breathing or swallowing.
Swelling that is causing your eye to swell shut.
Feeling generally very unwell, confused, or having a rapid heart rate.
Your Immediate First-Aid Action Plan (While Waiting for Your Appointment)
If you do not experience the life-threatening symptoms above, your priority is to call our office and then manage your symptoms accordingly. These steps do not cure the infection, but they can help provide temporary relief and reduce inflammation.
Call Your Smyrna Emergency Dentist: This is your most critical step. Please inform us of your symptoms, especially if you experience swelling. We prioritize these emergencies.
Apply a Cold Compress: This is the best way to manage swelling from the outside. Wrap an ice pack in a thin towel and apply it to your cheek for 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off.
Rinse Gently with Warm Salt Water: Mix ½ teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water. Gently swish the solution in your mouth for a few seconds and let it fall into the sink. Do not spit vigorously. This can help soothe the area and draw out some of the infection.
Take an Over-the-Counter Anti-Inflammatory: If you are able to do so safely, a medication like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) can help reduce both pain and inflammation.
Keep Your Head Elevated: When you rest, prop your head up with extra pillows to support it. This can help reduce the throbbing pressure in your head.
FAQs & Myths: Debunking Dangerous Advice
Myth #1: "I should put a hot compress on my cheek to draw out the infection."
TRUTH: NEVER apply heat to your face for a dental infection. Heat can encourage the infection to spread outward into your facial tissues, exacerbating the swelling and worsening the situation. Only use a cold compress.
Myth #2: "If I can pop the 'pimple' on my gum, the infection will be gone."
TRUTH: DO NOT try to pop or drain an abscess yourself. You can easily force the bacteria deeper into your tissues, causing the infection to spread more rapidly. Draining an abscess must only be done by a medical professional in a sterile environment.
Myth #3: "If my pain suddenly stops, it means the infection is healing." TRUTH: This is a very dangerous sign. A sudden stop to severe, throbbing pain often means the nerve inside your tooth has died from the infection. The infection itself is still present and is now silently and often painlessly spreading into your jawbone. You still need to see a dentist as soon as possible.
Myth #4: "I can just take antibiotics to cure the infection."
TRUTH: Antibiotics are a vital tool to help your body fight the infection and stop it from spreading, but they cannot cure the abscess on their own. The source of the infection, the diseased tissue sealed deep inside your tooth, must be physically removed by a dentist. This is typically achieved through a root canal or tooth extraction.
A Dental Infection is Your Body's Cry for Help
A spreading dental infection is a serious health risk that cannot be ignored or treated at home. These first-aid measures are a crucial bridge to get you to professional care, but they are not the solution. The only way to truly stop the infection is to treat its source.
If you are in the Smyrna area and are experiencing the signs of a dental infection, do not wait. Your health is our priority. Contact Smyrna Dental Studio immediately for an urgent evaluation.
