Emergency
What is a dental abscess, and is it an emergency?
A dental abscess is a pocket of pus from infection. It won't clear on its own, so treat it as urgent and contact us straight away. If swelling makes it hard to breathe or swallow, go to hospital now.
Why an abscess needs a dentist quickly
An abscess is a serious infection that builds up a painful pocket of pus, usually at the root of a tooth or in the gum beside it. It's often the sequel to a long-ignored cavity or a cracked tooth letting bacteria in. The trouble is that it won't quietly resolve — left alone, the infection tends to spread and the pain worsens, so this is one to act on rather than tough out.
Painkillers and warm salt-water rinses might dull the symptoms for a while, but they don't touch the infection itself. That needs a dentist to drain it and deal with the source, often through root canal treatment or, if the tooth is beyond saving, removal. Phone the practice straight away and we'll see you urgently.
The warning signs that mean go to hospital
Most abscesses are a dental emergency we can handle quickly. But some signs point to an infection that's spreading and becoming dangerous, and those can't wait for a dental appointment.
If swelling makes it hard to breathe, swallow or speak, spreads towards your eye, or comes with a high fever and feeling unwell, don't wait for us — go to hospital or call emergency services now. Airway swelling is a medical emergency, plain and simple.
Common questions
Will a dental abscess go away on its own?
No. An abscess is an infection that needs treating by a dentist — draining it and dealing with the source. Painkillers and rinses only mask it, so contact us urgently.
When is a dental abscess a medical emergency?
If facial swelling makes it hard to breathe, swallow or speak, spreads towards the eye, or comes with a high fever, go straight to hospital or call emergency services — don't wait.