Yes, a tooth abscess can be caused by a cavity. An untreated cavity can progress deeper into the tooth, eventually reaching the pulp, which contains nerves and blood vessels. If the pulp becomes infected, it can lead to a painful abscess, a collection of pus in the surrounding tissue. Symptoms of a tooth abscess include severe pain, swelling, fever, and a bad taste in the mouth. Treatment for a tooth abscess may involve antibiotics, a root canal procedure, or in severe cases, tooth extraction.