Is it common to be swollen and have a temperature when you have an abscessed tooth?

Yes: Infection results in that type of autoimmune response.

Yes: Tooth abscess is usually swollen can cause your body to react with a temperature just like other infections.

Possibly: About half af all tooth abscesses are asymptomatic. Eventually they become painful and this is called an acute abscess. The lesion fills w/ fluid, possibly pus. When this occurs, infection has taken over. If left untreated, swelling will result as the infection spreads. It is at this stage that a patient may have a fever!

Swelling/temperature: Yes, an abscess is a severe infection. The bacteria can cause local damage (swelling/bone loss/tissue damage) as well as systemic damage to airway, break, heart, reproductive organs, liver, kidneys, etc. You require immediate care, antibiotics to control spread of infection, and dental care (root canal/extraction) to physically removed the infected tooth material. Call your Dentist now.