Is swallowing pus from a dental abscess dangerous?

Question

Hello doctor,

I have an abscess on my tooth. I went to the emergency room, and the doctor poked a hole in the abscess and drained the contents. But it did not drain fully, and he did not prescribe me antibiotics and pain medicine.

I am just wondering if it would hurt if it were not drained completely?

If the pus gets drained while I am asleep, and if I accidentally swallow the pus, would it cause anything harmful?

Kindly suggest.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

It will not do any harm if you swallow the pus. The pus will discharge at night while sleeping, and it is normal. It is not related to incomplete pus drainage. Only a certain limits of pus can be removed by applying pressure. We can wait and see if it continues to discharge after the medications for three days. Please attach your intraoral periapical radiograph of that tooth and the picture of that abscess to help you better.

Dental caries could be the probable cause, and the possible diagnosis could be periapical abscess, and the differential could be periodontal abscess.

I hope this helps you.

Take care.

Thanks.