In addition to being very painful, an infection can be a sign of a more serious condition, so call your dentist immediately. They may advise you to come in for an appointment or send you straight to your doctor to get a prescription for antibiotics. In some cases, your dentist will do a root planing and scaling treatment, which cleans between your gums and teeth all the way to the roots. In the meantime, be sure to brush your teeth well two to three times a day and floss at least once per day.