Contact an emergency dentist
Explain where the swelling is, when it started and whether you have fever or difficulty swallowing.
Dental Abscess
Emergency Treatment
Urgent care for dental infection.
A dental abscess is an infection that can cause pus, intense pain and swelling. Prompt assessment is needed to treat the source and check whether the infection is spreading.
Urgent appointments
Get a dental infection assessed quickly before symptoms become more severe.
24-hour emergency care
Urgent infection assessment
Clinics across the UK
A dental abscess is an infection that needs its source treated.
A dental abscess is a collection of pus caused by infection in a tooth, the gum or its supporting tissues. Deep decay, a crack, gum disease or infection around a partly erupted tooth can allow bacteria to reach these areas.
Pain may ease if an abscess drains, but that does not mean the infection has gone. Prompt assessment is important to identify the source, manage swelling and reduce the chance of infection spreading into the face or neck.
Common signs
Severe, throbbing pain
Pain can spread towards the ear, jaw or neck and may worsen when lying down.
Swelling
The gum, face or jaw may become swollen, tender or warm.
Bad taste or discharge
A spot on the gum may release unpleasant-tasting fluid.
Fever or swollen glands
Feeling unwell can indicate that the infection is no longer only local.
Think you have an abscess? Do these things now.
Arrange urgent dental care. While waiting, focus on comfort and watch carefully for signs the infection is spreading.
Use safe pain relief
Follow packet instructions for pain relief you can normally take, or ask a pharmacist for advice.
Stay upright and hydrated
Rest with your head raised and drink water. Monitor whether swelling or general symptoms are increasing.
What to avoid
- Do not squeeze, pierce or attempt to drain the swelling yourself.
- Do not place aspirin directly on the gum.
- Do not rely on leftover antibiotics; the source still requires dental treatment and the wrong medicine may delay appropriate care.
When does a dental abscess need immediate help?
Spreading dental infection can become serious. Seek urgent medical help for airway, swallowing or rapidly increasing swelling symptoms.
Breathing or swallowing difficulty
Call 999 or attend A&E immediately if swelling is affecting your airway.
Rapidly spreading swelling
Swelling moving towards the eye, under the jaw or into the neck requires urgent assessment.
Fever and systemic illness
Fever, shaking, confusion or marked weakness can indicate spreading infection.
Reduced mouth opening
Increasing difficulty opening your mouth can accompany a significant infection.
Not sure whether it can wait?
Our emergency dental team can help you understand whether you need to be seen urgently.
What happens if I leave an abscess untreated?
Pressure may release and pain may briefly improve, but the infection source can remain active.
- Infection can damage the supporting bone and tissues around the tooth.
- The affected tooth may become impossible to save.
- Swelling can spread into the face, jaw or neck.
- In rare cases, spreading infection can cause life-threatening complications.
How an emergency dental abscess is assessed and treated
The dentist will examine the swelling and affected tooth, ask about fever or other illness and may take an X-ray. Treatment aims to release infection where needed and remove its source; antibiotics alone do not cure that source.
Assessment and drainage
The dentist may examine, take an X-ray and release trapped infection where clinically appropriate.
- drainage through the tooth or gum
- cleaning the infected area
- pain-management advice
Treat the source
The best option depends on whether the tooth can be predictably restored.
- root canal treatment to retain the tooth
- extraction if it cannot be saved
- gum treatment when the infection began in supporting tissues
Medication when indicated
Antibiotics may be prescribed when there are signs of spreading or systemic infection, following clinical assessment.
After abscess treatment
- Complete prescribed medication exactly as directed.
- Contact the clinic if swelling or illness worsens after treatment.
- Attend follow-up care needed to definitively restore or treat the tooth.
Reducing the risk of another abscess
- Treat decay, cracks and gum disease before they reach an advanced stage.
- Maintain daily brushing and interdental cleaning.
- Attend regular examinations based on your dentist’s advice.
Related emergency dental guidance
These pages explain closely related symptoms and treatments without replacing a dental assessment.
Common questions
Clear answers to questions patients often ask before an urgent dental assessment.
No. An abscess may drain and feel less painful, but the source of infection usually remains and needs professional assessment and dental treatment.
Yes. Infection can spread into the face, around the eye, beneath the jaw or into the neck. Rapidly increasing swelling, fever, difficulty swallowing or breathing requires urgent medical help.
No. Dental treatment of the source, such as drainage, root canal treatment or extraction, is usually central. Antibiotics may be prescribed when there are signs of spreading or systemic infection after clinical assessment.
Drainage may be possible, depending on the abscess location, the tooth and your clinical condition. The dentist may drain through the tooth or gum and will explain any definitive treatment still needed.
Rinse gently, do not squeeze the area and still arrange urgent dental care. Pressure releasing can reduce pain, but it does not remove the source of infection.
Call 999 or attend A&E if swelling affects breathing or swallowing. Swelling around the eye or neck, rapidly increasing swelling, marked difficulty opening the mouth, fever or significant illness also needs urgent assessment.
Every smile tells a story
Patient rating
4.8 / 5
Across our Night & Day clinics
3,200+ Google reviews
I’m absolutely petrified of the dentist hence why I’m in the situation I’m in now! I can’t recommend them enough so understanding and explain everything - they look after you unlike my dentist highly recommend!
Other emergency dental problems we treat
Explore guidance for other common dental emergencies, including symptoms, what to do immediately and when to seek urgent dental care.
Broken or chipped tooth
Assessment and repair options for a tooth damaged by an accident, impact or biting.
Toothache and severe tooth pain
Persistent, throbbing or night-time tooth pain needs assessment to identify its cause and urgency.
Lost filling or crown
Protect an exposed or sensitive tooth and arrange an assessment before further damage occurs.
Wisdom tooth pain
Help for pain, swelling or infection around an emerging or impacted wisdom tooth.
Emergency tooth extraction
When a tooth cannot be restored, an urgent assessment can establish the safest next step.
Root canal treatment
Treatment may help relieve pain and address infection inside a damaged tooth.
Loose implant crown or lost veneer
Careful assessment distinguishes a loose implant restoration, a moving implant and a detached veneer.
Need to be seen by an emergency dentist?
Leave your details and briefly tell us what’s happened. Our team will contact you to arrange a same day appointment.
Need help immediately?
Find your nearest emergency clinic