Key points
- Intense, throbbing toothache and swelling are the main signs
- An abscess will not clear up without treatment
- Treatment drains the pus, then saves or removes the tooth
- Trouble breathing, swallowing or speaking, or a swollen eye, needs hospital
Symptoms of a dental abscess
According to the NHS, signs include:
- Intense toothache or pain in the gums
- Redness and swelling inside the mouth, or a swollen face or jaw
- Pain with hot or cold food and drink
- A bad taste in the mouth
- Difficulty opening the mouth or chewing
- Swollen glands in the neck and a high temperature
What causes it?
Most abscesses start when bacteria get inside a tooth through deep decay or a crack, infecting the nerve. Others form in the gum, often linked to gum disease. Either way, the body walls off the infection as a pocket of pus, which causes the throbbing pain and swelling.
How an abscess is treated
The dentist numbs the area and drains the pus. Then the source has to be dealt with. If the tooth can be saved, that means root canal treatment to clean out the infection and seal the tooth. If it cannot, the tooth is removed.
Antibiotics may be given as part of treatment, for example if the infection is spreading, but they do not replace it. Taking antibiotics without treating the tooth can hide the pain while the infection keeps growing.
While you wait for treatment
The NHS suggests:
- Take ibuprofen or paracetamol as the pack says, without going over the dose
- Eat soft food, such as soup, eggs or yoghurt, and use a soft toothbrush
- Avoid very hot or very cold food and drink
When to see a dentist
See a dentist if you have
- As soon as possible, ideally the same day, if you think you have an abscess
Get urgent help if
- Trouble breathing, speaking or swallowing
- A swollen or painful eye, or sudden problems with your eyesight
- A lot of swelling in your mouth, or you cannot open your mouth easily
How Dental Plus can help
An abscess needs a dentist quickly, and Dental Plus is open around the clock. Root canals here are led by Dr Ahmad Mahmood, MDS Endodontics, who can often save the tooth. Read about root canal treatment.
Common questions
Will antibiotics cure a tooth abscess?
Not on their own. The pus has to be drained and the tooth treated, with a root canal or an extraction. Antibiotics may be added if the infection is spreading.
Can a tooth abscess burst by itself?
It can, which may ease the pain for a while, but the infection is still there and can come back or spread. See a dentist even if the pain eases.
Is a dental abscess an emergency?
It needs a dentist quickly. It becomes a hospital emergency if swelling affects your breathing, swallowing, speech or eye.
Can the tooth be saved?
Often, yes, with root canal treatment. If the tooth is too damaged, it is taken out and the gap can be filled later.
Sources
Checked on 16 October 2026. This guide is general information, not a diagnosis. If you are worried, see a dentist.