A tooth abscess is a pocket of pus triggered by a bacterial infection. It forms around the root of an infected tooth and can affect anyone from children to senior citizens. It is noteworthy to highlight that underneath the hard enamel of a tooth lies the soft pulp that is composed of blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissues. Bacterial infection can sometimes penetrate beyond the enamel and reach the pulp. Such deep-seated infection may occur due to cavities, periodontal diseases, cracked teeth, and so forth.

There are two primary types of dental abscesses, and they are:

• The periapical abscess that forms at the top of a tooth’s root
• A periodontal abscess that influences the bone next to the tooth

Now that we have deliberated on the basics of a dental abscess let us dovetail into its typical time span.

Time Span of an Untreated Abscess 
Before attempting to answer how long an untreated abscess lasts, we must try to navigate through the viability of keeping the abscess untreated in the first place. To begin with, a tooth abscess does not go or die down on its own, and professional intervention is crucial to treat a dental abscess. In case a person does not treat a dental abscess in its initial stage, then the infection may last anywhere between 5 months to 12 months or even more. Moreover, if no treatment is meted out to the condition, the precious dental pulp will die away and may get another abscess. Likewise, an abscess may travel through the bone and appear in several spots. 

In conclusion, the maximum period that an untreated tooth abscess can sustain is 12 months or more. But, such longevity is associated with dangerous complications such as sepsis or even death. 
Schedule your appointment with a dentist today and get the treatment on time!