I have an abscessed tooth, but it doesn't hurt. is that normal or as serious as one that does hurt?

Very serious: An abscess is an abscess, it is an infection inside your jaw, with pain or no pain it is causing damage not only to the tooth but to the bone, the gums and the surrounding teeth, it will not go away by itself and it may flare up any time.. Ignore your teeth and they will ignore you.

Abscess = infection: Whether it hurts or not infection is infection. Yes it is as serious and should be seen to as soon as you can so see your dentist for treatment as the source of the infection needs to be removed; antibiotics will not solve the problem.

Same thing: Once you have an abscess, the cause needs to be treated. Just because it is a chronic, painless abscess does not mean it is not serious. Pain is not an indication of how serious a medical problem might be. Do you treat high blood pressure (no pain) before or after a stroke? Seek dental care ASAP

Infection: An abscess is an infection, and a serious one at that. Presence or absence of pain is no indicator as to he virulence of the infection, which can suddenly and quickly spread, creating an exceptionally serious situation. Would you have an infection anywhere else in your body go untreated? PLEASE call your Dentist to make immediate arrangements to have your infection cured.