A tooth abscess is a collection of pus that forms inside a tooth or its surrounding structures. The abscess itself is one of the later stages of tooth decay, and typically occurs before tooth loss.

An untreated tooth infection can spread to other tissues in your body within weeks or months and lead to potentially life threatening complications. While rare, it is possible for a tooth infection to ...

Tooth decay can appear differently depending on the stage of severity. You may experience more symptoms, including pain and swollen lymph nodes, at later stages. Tooth decay is damage that occurs to ...

A gum abscess is a pocket of infection in the gums or the space between the teeth and the gums. Bacteria may reach the area due to a dental abscess or another oral hygiene issue, such as periodontitis ...

Sasha Ross, DMD, MS, is a board-certified periodontist who has been with the Cleveland Clinic since 2013. She earned her dental degree from the Harvard School of Dental Medicine and completed her ...