Emergency Dentist · SE Portland
Swelling or a dental abscess? Call today.
Swelling in your gums or face, or a painful bump near a tooth, can be a sign of infection. Infections don’t go away on their own, so please don’t wait.
What to do right now
While you’re waiting to be seen
- Call us right away. Swelling should be seen as soon as possible.
- Rinse gently with warm salt water a few times a day.
- Use a cold compress on the outside of your face, 15–20 minutes at a time.
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever as directed on the label, if it’s safe for you.
- Don’t try to pop or drain a bump on your gums yourself.
- Avoid placing heat on the swollen area.
Go to the ER or call 911 if you have swelling that is spreading to your eye or neck, trouble breathing or swallowing, a high fever, bleeding that won’t stop with firm pressure, or a possible jaw fracture or head injury.
How we help
Treating the infection at its source
A dental abscess is a pocket of infection, usually from a deep cavity, a cracked tooth or gum disease. At your visit we’ll find the source, relieve the pressure and pain, and talk you through treatment.
Depending on the cause, that may mean a root canal to save the tooth, gum treatment, or removing a tooth that can’t be saved. If a prescription is needed, our dentist will decide that after examining you.
Related: Emergency dentist · Root canals · Extractions · Cleanings & exams
Common questions
Questions we hear a lot
Is facial swelling from a tooth an emergency?
It can be. Swelling should be seen by a dentist the same day if possible. If it’s spreading toward your eye or neck, or you have trouble breathing or swallowing, go to the emergency room right away.
The pain stopped. Is the infection gone?
Not necessarily. Sometimes pain fades when the nerve inside the tooth dies, but the infection can keep spreading. It still needs to be treated.
Can I just take antibiotics?
Antibiotics may help control an infection, but they don’t fix the tooth or gum problem that caused it. The source needs treatment to keep the infection from coming back.
Same-day care
Don’t wait on swelling.
Call us during office hours (Monday–Friday, 8 AM–5 PM) and we’ll do our best to see you today, whether or not you’re already a patient. Most PPO plans are welcome, financing is available, and our team speaks English, Vietnamese, Spanish, Cantonese and Korean. After hours, leave your details and we’ll call you back first thing in the morning.