Dental Abscess (Periostitis): Why It's Dangerous and How It's Treated

A dental abscess (periostitis) is a purulent infection of the periosteum — the membrane covering the jawbone — that typically develops as a complication of untreated tooth decay, pulpitis, or gum infection. Key signs include painful swelling of the cheek or gum, pain when chewing, and sometimes a fever. This is a dental emergency: delaying treatment even by a day is not safe.

The greatest danger with periostitis is how quickly the infection can spread. Pus can penetrate into the soft tissues of the neck, the eye socket, or the mediastinum, causing cellulitis — a diffuse, potentially life-threatening infection. If you notice difficulty swallowing, inability to open your mouth fully, a rapidly spreading swelling toward the neck or eye, or a high fever alongside facial swelling — call emergency services (103) or go to an emergency room immediately. This is a surgical emergency.

There are a few things you should never do when you have a dental abscess: apply heat to the area (hot compresses, saunas, heating pads) — warmth accelerates the spread of pus; try to pop or squeeze the swelling yourself; or take antibiotics without a prescription, especially in doses you've guessed at yourself. A cold compress applied to the outside of the cheek is acceptable and may help reduce swelling slightly while you make your way to a clinic.

At the clinic, the dentist will examine you and, if needed, order an X-ray or panoramic scan (from 0.1 to 0.2 million soum) to assess the condition of the tooth root and surrounding bone. Treatment typically begins with surgical drainage: the dentist makes a small incision to allow the pus to drain, and prescribes antibiotic therapy. The tooth that caused the infection is saved whenever possible — once the acute inflammation settles, root canal treatment is performed (from 0.4 to 2.3 million soum) and a filling is placed (from 0.3 to 1.3 million soum). If the tooth cannot be saved, it is extracted (from 0.2 to 1.8 million soum). The exact treatment plan and cost are determined by the dentist after examination and imaging.

Periostitis almost always originates from neglected decay or pulpitis that caused little or no pain for a long time. The best way to prevent a dental abscess is simple: don't put off treating even a small cavity. In the Dentum directory, you can compare dental clinics across Tashkent by rating, specialization, and available appointment times — making it easy to book a checkup before things become urgent.

If you already have an abscess, don't wait for it to go away on its own — pus does not resorb by itself. Book an appointment with an oral surgeon today, or call emergency services if you have any alarming symptoms. Once the acute phase passes, it's important to complete full treatment of the source tooth to prevent recurrence. You can find and book trusted dental specialists in Tashkent through Dentum.