The main symptom is a severe toothache. The pain is continuous. It does not stop. It can be described as gnawing, sharp, shooting, or throbbing toothache that can spread to your jawbone, neck or ear.
Other symptoms may include:
- Bitter taste in the mouth
- Breath odor
- General discomfort, uneasiness, or ill-feeling
- Fever
- A tender, discoloured and/or loose tooth
- Pain that’s worse when lying down, which may disturb your sleep
- Redness inside the mouth, or outside the mouth on the face or jaw
- Swelling in your face, cheek or neck that may lead to difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Sensitivity of the teeth to hot or cold (Pain or discomfort with hot and cold temperatures)
- Swelling of the gum over the infected tooth, which may look like a pimple
- Swollen glands of the neck
- Swollen area of the upper or lower jaw, which is a very serious symptom
- Difficulty opening your mouth and chewing food
- Open, draining sore on the side of the gum.
- Sudden rush of foul-smelling and foul-tasting, salty fluid in your mouth and pain relief, if the abscess ruptures
If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to see a dentist as soon as possible for proper diagnosis and treatment.