Your doctor, or dentist, will likely take x-rays of your jaw or aching tooth to identify the abscess and to determine if the infection has spread to other areas of your body. To get rid of a dental abscess, your dentist or doctor will drain the abscess by making a small incision in the abscess, allowing the pus to drain out. They will then clean the infected area with a saltwater solution. In most cases, in an attempt to save the tooth, a root canal might be performed; however, in some cases, the tooth may need to be extracted. If the infection from the abscess is limited to just one tooth and is removed and cleaned, you may not be prescribed antibiotics, however, if the infection has spread to nearby teeth, your jaw, or any other area, you will like to be prescribed an antibiotic to prevent further spreading. At Columbia Clinic Urgent Care our highly trained medical professionals are available to treat a wide range of medical services, including accessing and treating dental abscesses. If you or a family member is experiencing tooth pain, please send us a text, call our office or visit our website to book an appointment or to get directions if you prefer, as we do accept walk-ins. We serve patients from Portland OR, PDX, Happy Valley OR, Tigard OR, Milwaukie OR, Cedar Hills OR, Cedar Mill OR, Lake Oswego OR, Oak Grove OR, Vancouver WA, Aloha OR, Minnehaha WA, Gladstone OR, Tualatin OR, West Linn OR, Fairview OR, Oregon City OR.