A periodontal abscess is a localized infection in the gums, usually occurring beside a tooth—not at the tip of the root (that’s a periapical abscess). It comes from infection in the periodontal pocket or supporting gum tissue.
Symptoms
Swelling of the gum near a tooth
Throbbing pain that often increases on chewing
Red, tender gums
Pus discharge or bad taste in the mouth
Loose tooth in that area (sometimes)
Fever or swollen lymph nodes (in severe cases)
Common Causes
Deep periodontal pockets due to gum disease
Food impaction between teeth
Fractured tooth or roots
Poor oral hygiene
Inadequate dental cleaning causing bacterial buildup
Trauma from aggressive brushing or foreign objects
Diagnosis
A dentist evaluates with:
Clinical exam of the gums
Probing pocket depth
X-ray to see bone loss
Checking tooth mobility
Treatment
The aim is to drain the infection and resolve the cause.
Immediate treatment:
Drainage of pus through the gum pocket or via a small incision
Thorough cleaning (scaling and root planing)
Warm saline rinses
Painkillers like ibuprofen or paracetamol
Antibiotics may be prescribed if:
Fever or facial swelling
Spreading infection
Patient is immunocompromised
Common antibiotics:
Amoxicillin + clavulanic acid
Metronidazole (often combined with amoxicillin)
For penicillin allergy: azithromycin or clindamycin (as per dentist’s judgement)
Definitive treatment depends on the cause:
Deep cleaning and periodontal therapy
