Dental Abscess: Symptoms, Treatment, and When It's Serious
Dr Tristan Tinn
Founder & Clinical Director
A dental abscess is a pocket of pus that forms due to a bacterial infection in or around a tooth. It can cause intense, throbbing pain that may radiate to your ear, jaw, or neck. While some dental problems can wait a few days, an abscess is one condition you should never ignore. Left untreated, the infection can spread and, in rare cases, become life-threatening.
Key Takeaways
- •A dental abscess will not heal on its own. Professional treatment is always required.
- •There are two main types: periapical (at the root tip) and periodontal (in the gums).
- •Seek emergency care (999 or A&E) if you have difficulty breathing, swallowing, or spreading facial swelling.
- •Treatment involves draining the pus and addressing the source. This may include antibiotics, root canal, or extraction.
- •NHS emergency treatment costs £26.80 (Band 1). Further work is charged at Band 2 or Band 3 rates.
- •Most abscesses are preventable with good oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups.
What Is a Dental Abscess?
There are two main types of dental abscess, each originating from a different source:
- Periapical abscess: This forms at the tip of the tooth's root. It typically develops when bacteria enter the dental pulp (the soft tissue inside the tooth) through a deep cavity, crack, or chip. Untreated decay is the most common cause. The infection travels down the root canal and collects at the root tip, forming a painful swelling.
- Periodontal abscess: This forms in the gums alongside the tooth root. It's more commonly associated with gum disease, where bacteria become trapped in a deep gum pocket. It can also occur after a foreign object (such as a popcorn kernel or piece of floss) becomes lodged between the tooth and gum.
Both types involve a bacterial infection that the body cannot clear on its own. The accumulation of pus creates pressure, which is what causes the characteristic throbbing pain.
Recognising the Symptoms
A dental abscess may cause some or all of the following symptoms:
- Intense, throbbing pain: Often described as a constant, pulsating ache in the affected tooth or gum area. The pain can radiate to the ear, jaw, or temple on the same side.
- Swelling: The face, cheek, or jaw on the affected side may become swollen and tender. In some cases, swelling can develop quickly and become quite pronounced.
- Sensitivity to temperature and pressure: The tooth may be extremely sensitive to hot and cold, and painful to bite down on.
- Bad taste in the mouth: If the abscess ruptures and drains, you may notice a sudden rush of foul-tasting, salty fluid in your mouth. While this may temporarily relieve the pressure and pain, the infection is not resolved.
- Fever and feeling generally unwell: A raised temperature, fatigue, and a general feeling of being unwell can indicate the infection is affecting your body more broadly.
- Swollen lymph nodes: The lymph nodes under your jaw or in your neck may become tender and swollen as your body tries to fight the infection.
- Difficulty opening your mouth or swallowing: In more severe cases, swelling can restrict jaw movement or affect the throat.
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Seek emergency care immediately (call 999 or go to A&E) if you experience:
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Swelling spreading to your eye, neck, or the floor of your mouth
- High fever (above 38.5°C) with facial swelling
- Rapid heart rate or feeling very unwell
- Confusion or drowsiness
These can be signs of a spreading infection, including sepsis or Ludwig's angina (a severe infection of the floor of the mouth), both of which are medical emergencies.
Why You Can't Ignore a Dental Abscess
A dental abscess will not heal on its own. Without treatment, the infection can spread beyond the tooth to the surrounding bone, soft tissues, and potentially the bloodstream. While serious complications are uncommon, they include:
- Sepsis: If bacteria from the abscess enter the bloodstream, they can trigger sepsis. This is a potentially life-threatening whole-body response to infection. Sepsis requires immediate hospital treatment.
- Ludwig's angina: A rare but serious infection that spreads to the floor of the mouth and the tissues of the neck. It can cause the tongue to swell and push upwards, potentially blocking the airway.
- Spread to the brain: In extremely rare cases, a dental infection can form a brain abscess, particularly if the upper teeth are affected.
- Bone infection (osteomyelitis): The infection can spread to the jawbone, causing a deeper and more difficult-to-treat infection.
How a Dental Abscess Is Treated
The goal of treatment is to eliminate the infection and drain the pus. Your dentist may recommend one or more of the following approaches:
- Incision and drainage: Your dentist may make a small cut in the abscess to drain the pus. This can provide significant pain relief relatively quickly.
- Antibiotics: If the infection has spread beyond the immediate area, or if you have a weakened immune system, your dentist may prescribe antibiotics. However, antibiotics alone will not resolve the abscess. The source of the infection must also be treated.
- Root canal treatment: For a periapical abscess, root canal treatment may be performed to remove the infected pulp, clean and shape the root canals, and seal the tooth. This allows the tooth to be saved.
- Extraction: If the tooth is too damaged to save, it may need to be removed. This allows the abscess to drain through the empty socket.
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Managing at Home While Waiting for Your Appointment
If you're waiting to see a dentist, the following measures may help manage your symptoms:
- Take painkillers: Ibuprofen can help with both pain and inflammation. Paracetamol can be taken alongside ibuprofen if needed (but follow the dosing instructions for each). Avoid aspirin for dental pain, as it can increase bleeding.
- Rinse with warm salt water: This may help draw the pus towards the surface and keep the area clean. Rinse gently several times a day.
- Avoid very hot or cold food and drink: These can intensify the pain. Eat soft, lukewarm foods on the unaffected side.
- Sleep with your head elevated: Propping your head up on extra pillows can reduce the throbbing sensation at night.
- Don't try to burst the abscess yourself: Squeezing or lancing an abscess at home can push the infection deeper and cause it to spread.
When to see a dentist: You should see a dentist as soon as possible if you suspect an abscess. Most dental practices keep emergency appointments available each day. If your own dentist cannot see you urgently, call NHS 111 for help finding an emergency dental service near you. For true emergencies (difficulty breathing, severe swelling), go to A&E.
Preventing Dental Abscesses
Most dental abscesses are preventable with good oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups:
- Brush your teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste
- Clean between your teeth daily with floss or interdental brushes
- Reduce your intake of sugary foods and drinks, particularly between meals
- Attend regular dental check-ups so problems can be caught early
- Don't ignore a lost filling or chipped tooth. These create entry points for bacteria
How Much Does It Cost to Treat a Dental Abscess?
The cost of treating a dental abscess depends on whether you are seen under the NHS or privately, and what treatment is needed.
| Treatment | NHS Cost (England) | Private Cost (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency assessment | £26.80 (Band 1) | £50 - £150 |
| Drainage + antibiotics | £26.80 (Band 1) | £100 - £200 |
| Root canal treatment | £73.50 (Band 2) | £300 - £700 |
| Extraction | £73.50 (Band 2) | £100 - £350 |
If you are struggling to afford treatment, you may be eligible for help with NHS dental costs through the NHS Low Income Scheme. See our guide to dental payment plans for more options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a dental abscess go away on its own?
No. A dental abscess will not resolve without professional treatment. While the pain may come and go, the underlying infection remains and can spread. Even if an abscess drains on its own, the source of the infection still needs to be treated by a dentist.
What antibiotics are used for a dental abscess?
The most commonly prescribed antibiotic is amoxicillin (500mg, three times daily for five days). If you are allergic to penicillin, your dentist may prescribe metronidazole instead. Antibiotics alone will not cure an abscess. The source of infection must also be treated. Read more in our guide to tooth infection antibiotics.
Can I pop or drain a dental abscess at home?
No. You should never try to pop, squeeze, or lance a dental abscess at home. This can push the infection deeper into the tissues and cause it to spread. If an abscess ruptures on its own, rinse gently with warm salt water and see a dentist as soon as possible.
What does a dental abscess look like?
A dental abscess may appear as a swollen, red bump on the gum near the affected tooth. It can look like a small pimple or boil. The surrounding gum tissue is often inflamed and tender. In more advanced cases, you may notice facial swelling on the affected side.
How long does a dental abscess take to heal?
After proper treatment, you should notice significant improvement within 24 to 48 hours. Swelling and pain typically reduce noticeably once the abscess has been drained. Full healing of the gum tissue may take one to two weeks.
How quickly can a tooth abscess become dangerous?
A dental abscess can become dangerous within days if the infection spreads. In rare but serious cases, the infection can reach the floor of the mouth (Ludwig's angina), the neck, or the bloodstream (sepsis). If you experience difficulty breathing or swallowing, high fever, or spreading facial swelling, call 999 or go to A&E immediately.
Is a dental abscess the same as a gum boil?
A gum boil (also called a parulis) is often a sign of an underlying dental abscess. It appears as a small, pus-filled bump on the gum and acts as a drainage point for the infection. While a gum boil may come and go, the underlying abscess still requires professional treatment. See our guide to gum boils for more detail.
Sources
- • NHS – Dental abscess
- • NICE – Antimicrobial prescribing guidelines
- • British Dental Association – Dental health advice
Last reviewed on 14 April 2026 by Dr Tristan Tinn