A dental abscess is an infection of the mouth, face, jaw, or throat that begins as a tooth infection or cavity. Although these infections can be caused by poor dental care, they may also occur in people with underlying medical conditions such as autoimmune disorders.

In some cases, the infection can progress to the point which swelling becomes life threatening.  Infections on lower teeth can potentially block the airway, causing difficulty breathing.  Infections on upper teeth can enter into the sinus spaces and potentially migrate into the brain. Dental abscesses can also make you ill, with symptoms of nausea, vomiting, fevers, chills, and sweats.