Duration of an untreated abscess If a person doesn't treat a tooth abscess in its early stage, the infection can last between 5 months and 12 months or even longer. In addition, if no treatment is applied to the condition, the precious dental pulp will die and you may have another abscess. Is it possible for an abscess to drain naturally? A tooth abscess can't heal on its own. Professional intervention is necessary to treat the infection, since this is the insidious dental pulp.
However, an abscess lasts for months and even a year without being drained. You can try to drain it at home with a sterilized needle, but there can be complications. Therefore, it is always recommended that an abscess be drained by a professional. In permanent teeth, the treatment of a tooth abscess begins with eliminating the source of infection.
How long it can take to visit the dentist with an untreated tooth infection will depend on the stage of the tooth abscess. A physical exam is important, but the best way for your dentist to find a dental abscess is to take full dental x-rays. The main reason for the appearance of dental abscesses is the penetration or filtration of bacteria from the hard enamel to the sensitive pulp.