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Dental Abscess: Symptoms, Treatment and When It Is an Emergency

A dental abscess is a build-up of pus from an infection in a tooth or the gum. It will not go away on its own and needs a dentist. Here is how to recognise one, how it is treated and the signs that need emergency care.

Updated September 2026·By the OHA editorial team·7 min read·How we write
Key takeaways
  • A dental abscess is a build-up of pus caused by a bacterial infection in a tooth, the gum or the bone around a tooth. It will not go away on its own, so see a dentist urgently.
  • A dentist treats it by draining the pus and dealing with the cause, often with root canal treatment or by removing the tooth.
  • Antibiotics alone do not cure an abscess. NHS inform and the American Dental Association say they are not routinely needed, but may be used if the infection spreads.
  • Swelling around your eye or in your neck, or trouble breathing, swallowing or opening your mouth, needs emergency hospital care.

The NHS and healthdirect Australia are both clear that a dental abscess will not go away on its own. NHS inform (Scotland) says it can sometimes spread to other parts of the face and neck and make you ill, and healthdirect says early treatment helps stop the infection spreading and helps you feel better faster.

What is a dental abscess?

NHS inform describes a dental abscess as a collection of pus that can form inside the teeth, in the gums, or in the bone that holds the teeth in place. It is caused by a bacterial infection, and healthdirect explains that the pus is made by the body as it reacts to the bacteria. There are two main types:

  • Periapical abscess: an abscess at the end of a tooth's root (NHS inform). The American Dental Association (ADA) explains that decay, gum disease or a crack can let bacteria into the pulp (the soft centre of the tooth, containing nerves and blood vessels), and pus then builds up at the root tip in the jaw bone.
  • Periodontal abscess: an abscess in the gum (NHS inform). See gum disease.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms listed by the NHS, NHS inform and healthdirect include:

  • intense, throbbing pain in a tooth or the gum, which may spread to your ear, jaw and neck and be worse when lying down
  • pain when you bite or chew, and sensitivity to hot or cold
  • redness and swelling in the gum, face or jaw
  • a tender, discoloured or loose tooth
  • bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth
  • swollen glands in your neck, a high temperature (fever), or feeling generally unwell

What causes a dental abscess?

The NHS, NHS inform and healthdirect list tooth decay, gum disease, a cracked or injured tooth, a deep filling, a failed root canal treatment, and a tooth that has not come through the gum properly (an impacted tooth, especially a wisdom tooth). The risk is higher with poor cleaning, a lot of sugary food and drink, a weakened immune system (including diabetes, steroid medicines, chemotherapy or radiotherapy), and, healthdirect adds, using drugs or alcohol.

Why you need a dentist, not just painkillers

NHS inform says painkillers and other home measures only relieve symptoms for a while. healthdirect says an untreated abscess can spread beyond the tooth and jaw, causing swelling in the neck or mouth that blocks the airway, sepsis (a serious infection that spreads through the whole body), or long-term problems such as facial scarring, vision loss or brain injury. Rarely, it says, dental abscesses can become life-threatening.

Who to see differs by country. In the UK, the NHS says to ask for an urgent dentist appointment or get help from NHS 111, and not to go to a GP surgery, because a GP cannot give dental treatment; NHS inform (Scotland) says to speak to your dentist. healthdirect Australia says to see your dentist or doctor straight away. In the US, the ADA says most dentists reserve time each day for emergencies, so call your dentist first; if the practice is closed, it advises going to your local emergency room.

How is a dental abscess treated?

The NHS says a dentist will drain away the pus. NHS inform describes the options, depending on where the abscess is and how severe it is:

  • Root canal treatment, which removes the abscess from the root of the tooth before the tooth is filled and sealed. See fillings and root canal treatment.
  • Removing the tooth (extraction), which may be needed if root canal treatment is not possible.
  • Incision and drainage, where a small cut is made in the gum to let the pus out. NHS inform says this is usually only a temporary solution.

healthdirect and the ADA add that if gum disease is the cause, the area between the tooth and gum is cleaned. NHS inform says local anaesthetic is usually used, and more extensive operations may be done under general anaesthetic (while you are asleep). healthdirect says you should start to feel better within 2 to 3 days of starting treatment; if you do not, you may need more tests or a different treatment.

Will I need antibiotics?

Our guide to antibiotics for dental problems covers when they help, when they do not, and the latest UK guidance on how long to take them.

Not on their own, and often not at all. The sources word this differently:

  • NHS inform says antibiotics are not routinely prescribed for dental abscesses, but may be used if the infection spreads or is particularly severe. The NHS says you may be given antibiotics after treatment.
  • healthdirect lists antibiotics among possible treatments, but says antibiotics alone are not enough to treat a tooth abscess.
  • The ADA's 2019 guideline recommends against antibiotics for most infections of the pulp and the root tip, and says that for adults whose immune system is not severely weakened, dental treatment such as root canal treatment or drainage should come first. It says dentists should prescribe antibiotics if the infection spreads through the body, with signs such as fever or feeling generally unwell.

The ADA notes that antibiotics can cause side effects such as nausea and diarrhoea, and overuse makes bacteria harder to kill.

Easing the pain while you wait

NHS inform says these steps help for a short time but should not be used to put off seeing a dentist.

  • Painkillers. The NHS suggests ibuprofen or paracetamol. NHS inform says ibuprofen is the preferred painkiller for a dental abscess, and to take paracetamol instead if you cannot take ibuprofen for medical reasons. If one does not control the pain, it says adults can take both at the doses in the leaflet, but children under 16 should not.
  • Check ibuprofen suits you. The NHS says it may not be suitable if you have had a stomach ulcer, have asthma, a heart, liver or kidney condition or a blood-clotting problem, have had a stroke, are allergic to ibuprofen, aspirin or similar medicines, or are pregnant or trying to get pregnant. It can also interact with some medicines, including blood thinners such as warfarin.
  • Paracetamol: the NHS says not to take it with other medicines containing paracetamol, such as some cold and flu remedies.
  • Never take more than the recommended dose. The NHS says a higher dose will not work better but can be very dangerous.
  • Aspirin and children. The NHS says children under 16 should not take aspirin. healthdirect says aspirin should not be given to children under 12 unless a doctor has prescribed it. Follow the advice where you live, or ask a pharmacist.
  • Food and care. Eat cool, soft foods on the other side of your mouth, avoid very hot or cold food and drink, and use a soft toothbrush (NHS inform).
When to see a dentist
  • You think you have a dental abscess, even if it is not very painful (NHS inform). The NHS says ask for an urgent dentist appointment or get help from NHS 111.
  • You have toothache or gum swelling with a fever (over 38°C), pain when you bite, a bad taste, or a swollen cheek or jaw (healthdirect).
  • You have started treatment and are not feeling better within 2 to 3 days: healthdirect says you may need more tests or a different treatment.
Get help urgently
  • England (NHS): call 999 or go to A&E if you are finding it hard to breathe, speak or swallow, have a swollen or painful eye, suddenly have problems with your eyesight, have a lot of swelling in your mouth, or are finding it hard to open your mouth. Do not drive yourself: ask someone to drive you or call 999 for an ambulance.
  • Scotland (NHS inform): phone 999 if you have difficulty breathing or swallowing.
  • Australia (healthdirect): get emergency medical care if toothache or gum swelling causes problems breathing or speaking, or swelling around your eye or neck. For advice at any time, call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222.
  • US (ADA): if your dentist is closed, go to your local emergency room.
  • See also dental emergencies.

How to prevent a dental abscess

The NHS advises brushing with fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day (spit, do not rinse), cleaning between your teeth every day, not smoking, and regular dental check-ups. NHS inform adds cutting down on sugary food and drink, and healthdirect suggests a mouthguard for contact sports.

Frequently asked questions

Will a dental abscess go away on its own?

No. The NHS, NHS inform and healthdirect all say it will not go away on its own, so it needs treating by a dentist.

Should I see my GP about a dental abscess?

In the UK, the NHS says not to, because a GP cannot give dental treatment: contact a dentist or NHS 111. healthdirect Australia says to see your dentist or doctor.

Is a dental abscess always painful?

No. NHS inform says abscesses are often painful but not always, and should be checked by a dentist either way.

Sources

  1. Dental abscess, NHS, accessed September 2026
  2. Dental abscess, NHS inform (Scotland), accessed September 2026
  3. Ibuprofen for adults, NHS, accessed September 2026
  4. Paracetamol for adults, NHS, accessed September 2026
  5. Tooth abscess, healthdirect Australia, accessed September 2026
  6. Toothache and gum swelling, healthdirect Australia, accessed September 2026
  7. Medicines for babies and children, healthdirect Australia, accessed September 2026
  8. Abscess, American Dental Association (MouthHealthy), accessed September 2026
  9. Antibiotics for pain and swelling, American Dental Association (MouthHealthy), accessed September 2026
  10. Dental emergencies, American Dental Association (MouthHealthy), accessed September 2026
  11. Antibiotics for dental pain and swelling guideline (2019), American Dental Association, accessed September 2026

This article is general information about oral health. It is not a diagnosis or a substitute for advice from a dentist or doctor who knows your situation. If you have pain, swelling, bleeding that does not settle, or a problem that is getting worse, see a dental professional. In an emergency, contact your local emergency service.

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