Dental abscess: what to do
Quick answer
What should I do if I think I have a tooth abscess?
Call York House Dental Practice in West Byfleet on 01932 348864 for a same-day emergency assessment (from £78).
An abscess is a pocket of infection that will not heal on its own — the source must be treated by draining it, root canal treatment or removing the tooth. Take pain relief as directed on the packet if it is safe for you. Swelling spreading to your eye or neck, or difficulty breathing or swallowing, needs A&E or 999 immediately.
What you need to know
Typical signs are intense throbbing pain, pain on biting, a swollen gum or face, a pimple on the gum that leaks a bad-tasting fluid, and sometimes fever. Pain that suddenly eases does not mean the infection has gone — often the nerve has died or the abscess has drained, and the infection is still there.
Do not try to burst the swelling yourself or hold heat against your face. Antibiotics alone are not a cure; they are used when infection is spreading or you are unwell, alongside treatment that removes the cause.
Many abscessed teeth can be saved with root canal treatment. If the tooth cannot be saved, we will explain extraction and the options to replace it. For urgent help, see emergency dentist.
Last reviewed: by Dr Kaveet Patel, Principal Dentist
