My tooth hurts and my jaw is swollen, what do I do?

When a cracked or decaying tooth is not treated in time, it can lead to further decay, where the tissue inside the canal of the root of the tooth gets infected. If this infection is left untreated, it can lead to the formation of an abscess coupled with severe pain and a swelling.

In these cases you should see your dentist at the earliest without any delay. Treating this condition is called 'Root Canal Treatment' and may involve multiple visits to your dentist, depending on the severity of the infection.

What are the signs and symptoms of a tooth infection?

• Tooth is sensitive to hot or cold foods/liquids
• The gums around the infected tooth hurt, there is discoloration
• The tooth hurts when you touch it or brush it
• Swelling and pain in your jaw around the infected tooth
• You notice an abscess inside your mouth with pus formation
• You find pus inside your mouth

Although these are the typical signs of an infected tooth, it maybe that you don't see an abscess and pus but you could still have a swollen jaw and severe pain.

What is a Root Canal Treatment?

Your dentist will begin by taking a X-ray of the infected tooth and inspect the surrounding gums to assess the damage and plan your course of treatment. You can always clarify any doubts you may have about the treatment plan before or during the course of your treatment.While treating your infected tooth your dentist will remove any infected pulp and clean the tooth's root canal.

The root canal is then appropriately medicated and closed to prevent further infection. A temporary dental filling is performed which will remain in place until your next visit. Your dentist may then use a dental crown to protect the tooth from any damage. A Root Canal treatment may require you to visit your dentist for more than one appointment.