Tooth abscess: symptoms, urgent care and treatment
A tooth abscess is one of the more painful dental problems you can have, and it is not something that clears up if you wait it out. If you are dealing with a throbbing tooth, a swollen face or a nasty taste in your mouth, this guide explains what is happening, when it becomes an emergency, and how a dentist treats it. Aqua Dental Clinic in Hatch End sees patients from across Pinner, Harrow and North West London for exactly this kind of problem.
What is a tooth abscess?
A tooth abscess is a pocket of pus caused by a bacterial infection. It forms when bacteria reach the soft inner part of the tooth or the surrounding gum and bone, and the body walls off the infection with pus. There are a few types. An abscess at the tip of the root is usually the result of infection inside the tooth, while an abscess in the gum tends to come from gum disease or something trapped below the gum line.
The important point is that the infection is active and living inside your mouth. It will not resolve on its own because the source, whether that is decay, a crack or diseased gum tissue, is still there. Prompt dental treatment is the only reliable way to deal with it.
What causes a tooth abscess?
Most abscesses trace back to bacteria finding a way into a part of the tooth or gum that should be sealed off. Common causes include:
- Deep tooth decay that has reached the nerve and blood supply inside the tooth
- A cracked or chipped tooth that lets bacteria into the inner pulp
- Gum disease, which creates deep pockets where infection can build
- A previous filling, crown or root canal that has failed or leaked over time
- An injury to a tooth, even one that happened months or years earlier
Tooth infection symptoms
Symptoms can come on quickly or build over a few days. The table below covers the signs to watch for.
| Symptom | What it feels like |
|---|---|
| Severe pain | A throbbing, persistent ache in the tooth or jaw that can spread to the ear or neck and often worsens when you lie down |
| Swelling | A swollen gum, cheek or face near the affected tooth, sometimes with a tender lump |
| Sensitivity | Sharp pain with hot and cold food or drink, and pain when biting or chewing |
| Bad taste or pus | A foul taste, bad breath, or a sudden release of salty fluid if the abscess bursts |
| Fever | A raised temperature and a general feeling of being unwell |
| Swollen glands | Tender, swollen glands in the neck or under the jaw |
Occasionally the pain eases suddenly. This can happen when the abscess drains, but it does not mean the infection has gone. The bacteria are still present and treatment is still needed.
Is a tooth abscess an emergency?
A dental abscess needs prompt professional treatment. It will not clear on its own, and left untreated the infection can spread into the jaw, the surrounding tissues and, in rare cases, further into the body. Booking with a dentist quickly is the right response even if the pain is currently manageable. Our emergency dental care in Harrow is set up to see patients with infections and swelling without a long wait.
Red-flag signs that need same-day or A&E care
Some symptoms mean the infection may be spreading and could become dangerous. Seek urgent medical help, either through an emergency dentist the same day or your local A&E, if you have any of these:
- Swelling that is spreading across your face or getting rapidly worse
- Swelling that is closing your eye or spreading down into your neck
- Difficulty breathing or difficulty swallowing
- A high fever alongside the swelling
Do not wait for a routine appointment if any of these apply. These signs point to a serious spreading infection that needs treatment straight away.
Abscess tooth treatment
The goal of treatment is to clear the infection and remove its source. A dentist will examine the tooth, usually take an X-ray, and recommend one of the following.
Draining the abscess
The dentist may make a small opening to drain the pus, which relieves pressure and reduces pain quickly. Draining removes the collection of infection but does not fix the underlying cause, so it is nearly always paired with one of the treatments below.
Root canal to save the tooth
If the tooth can be saved, root canal treatment removes the infected tissue from inside the tooth, cleans the canals and seals them. This keeps your natural tooth in place. At Aqua Dental Clinic, root canal treatment starts from £465.
Extraction
When a tooth is too damaged to save, removing it clears the source of infection. You can read more about tooth extractions in Harrow. Extraction starts from £125.
Where antibiotics fit in
Antibiotics are a supportive measure only. A dentist may prescribe them when an infection is spreading or when you are unwell, but they do not cure an abscess on their own. The pus and the source of infection still have to be dealt with by draining, root canal or extraction. Taking antibiotics without treating the tooth may quieten symptoms for a while, and then the infection returns. Only take antibiotics that a dentist or doctor has prescribed for you.
What to do for the pain while you wait
While you arrange an appointment, a few simple steps can make you more comfortable:
- Take over-the-counter pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, following the packet instructions, and do not exceed the stated dose
- Rinse gently with warm salty water a few times a day
- Avoid very hot, very cold, hard or sugary foods that set off the pain
- Try to eat softer foods and chew on the other side of your mouth
- Do not apply painkillers directly to the gum, and do not attempt to burst or squeeze the swelling yourself
These measures ease symptoms but they do not treat the infection. Book with a dentist as soon as you can.
How to prevent a tooth abscess
Most abscesses start with problems that build up over time, so good day-to-day care and regular check-ups go a long way:
- Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and clean between your teeth daily
- Cut down on sugary food and drink, especially between meals
- Attend routine dental check-ups so decay and gum problems are caught early
- Have any cracked tooth or lost filling looked at promptly rather than leaving it
- Follow through on recommended treatment before small problems turn into infections
Frequently asked questions
Will a tooth abscess go away on its own?
No. An abscess is an active bacterial infection and it will not clear without treatment. Even if the pain eases or the swelling drains, the infection remains and needs a dentist to deal with the source.
Can I just take antibiotics to cure an abscess?
Antibiotics alone do not cure an abscess. They can help control a spreading infection when prescribed by a dentist or doctor, but the tooth still needs draining, root canal or extraction to remove the cause.
How much does emergency treatment for an abscess cost at Aqua Dental?
An emergency appointment is £120. If further treatment is needed, root canal starts from £465 and extraction from £125. You can see more on our dental fees page.
When should I go to A&E instead of a dentist?
Go to A&E or seek urgent medical help if you have spreading facial swelling, swelling closing your eye or reaching your neck, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or a high fever. These can signal a serious spreading infection.
Get seen quickly at Aqua Dental Clinic
If you have a suspected abscess, do not leave it. Our team in Hatch End can assess the tooth, relieve the pain and treat the infection at its source. Call us or use our contact page to arrange an urgent appointment, and see our emergency dental care in Harrow for same-day help. If you have facial swelling, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or a high fever, treat it as a medical emergency and seek urgent care straight away.
Reviewed by the clinical team at Aqua Dental Clinic, Hatch End. A dental abscess needs prompt professional care. If you have facial swelling, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or a high fever, seek urgent medical help.