What is a dental abscess?
A dental abscess is a collection of pus caused by a bacterial infection, usually at the root of a tooth (periapical abscess) or in the gum beside a tooth (periodontal abscess). It causes intense, throbbing pain that can spread to the ear, jaw, or neck.
Abscesses do not go away on their own and will get worse without treatment. Unlike most dental problems, an untreated abscess can become life-threatening if the infection spreads to the jaw, neck, or brain.
Signs you have a dental abscess
Key symptoms include: severe, persistent throbbing toothache; pain that radiates to the jaw, ear, or neck; sensitivity to hot and cold; pain when biting or chewing; a swollen face or cheek; a tender, swollen lymph node under the jaw; a sudden rush of foul-smelling liquid in the mouth (if the abscess bursts); fever.
If the abscess bursts, the pain may ease temporarily — but you still need dental treatment urgently. The infection has not gone.
When to go to A&E immediately
Go to A&E or call 999 if you have: difficulty swallowing or breathing; significant swelling that is spreading to your neck or floor of the mouth; a high fever (38°C or above) with other symptoms; severe pain that is getting rapidly worse.
These are signs the infection may be spreading beyond the tooth — a serious condition called Ludwig's angina or a spreading neck infection that can be life-threatening.
What to do right now
Call your dentist immediately — most practices will see a patient with an abscess on the same day. If your practice is closed, call the out-of-hours number on their answerphone.
If you can't reach your dentist, call NHS 111. They can refer you to an urgent dental centre that can drain the abscess and prescribe antibiotics.
While waiting: take ibuprofen and paracetamol together (if suitable for you) to manage pain. Rinse gently with warm salty water to draw out pus and keep the area clean. Avoid very hot, cold, or sweet food and drink.
What treatment involves
The dentist will need to treat the source of the infection — this may involve draining the abscess, a root canal treatment to remove the infected pulp, or extracting the tooth if it cannot be saved. Antibiotics alone are not sufficient treatment; they can reduce spread but do not eliminate the source.
NHS treatment for an abscess is covered under Band 1 (£26.80) for the emergency assessment and antibiotics. If further treatment like a root canal or extraction is needed, this falls under Band 2 (£73.50).