(HealthDay News) -- Tooth pain can make eating and drinking difficult, and may signal an infection in or around a tooth -- medically called an abscess.

The University of Michigan Health System says warning signs of an abscess include:

  • Throbbing pain, particularly when you're chewing.
  • An very tender tooth, especially to the touch.
  • Gums that appear red and swollen.
  • An unpleasant, salty taste in your mouth.
  • A swollen jaw or face.
  • A fever.
  • A lump in the mouth that appears red, swollen or bloody.