A dental abscess is a pocket of infection, usually caused by bacteria getting into the inside of a tooth through decay, a crack, or gum disease. The body’s response to that infection is what causes swelling, as fluid and immune cells build up in the surrounding tissue. Swelling can appear in the gum, the cheek, under the jaw, or around the eye, depending on which tooth is affected.
Once infection spreads beyond the tooth itself into the soft tissue of the face or neck, it is no longer contained. This is sometimes called cellulitis. The swelling can look alarming because it spreads along natural tissue planes rather than staying in one neat area. In most cases this is uncomfortable but manageable with the right treatment. In a smaller number of cases, swelling spreads quickly towards the throat or the base of the tongue, and that is where it becomes dangerous, because it can affect breathing.
You should not wait and see if any of the following apply to you or someone you are caring for:
Any of these mean you need assessment straight away, not an appointment next week. If it is outside our opening hours, or the symptoms above are present, go to A&E or call 999, or call NHS 111 for advice on where to go. This is not something to manage by waiting at home.
Not all swelling is an emergency. A small, localised swelling in the gum next to one tooth, with no fever, no spreading, and no trouble swallowing or breathing, is still something that needs treating, but it is reasonable to book the next available dental appointment rather than go to A&E. Pain that comes and goes, tenderness when biting, or a small gum boil are common signs of a lower-grade infection that a dentist can usually deal with during normal hours.
That said, a dental abscess does not get better on its own and will not resolve without the source of infection being treated, whether that means draining it, treating the root canal, or removing the tooth. Left alone, a small swelling can become a bigger one. If you are not sure which category your symptoms fall into, it is safer to call and describe them than to guess.
Treatment depends on the cause and extent of the infection, and your dentist will need to examine the area, and sometimes take an X-ray, before deciding the right approach. This might include draining the abscess, starting root canal treatment, removing the tooth, or in some cases prescribing antibiotics alongside dental treatment. Antibiotics alone are rarely enough, because they do not remove the source of the infection sitting inside or around the tooth.
If you are in pain or have visible swelling and need to be seen quickly, our emergency dentist service is there for exactly this situation. We see both NHS and private patients, so get in touch and we will advise you on the next step based on what you describe.
Over-the-counter pain relief taken as directed on the packet can help with discomfort, and a cold compress against the outside of the cheek may ease swelling slightly. Avoid applying heat to the area, and avoid trying to drain any swelling yourself. Keep the area as clean as you comfortably can with gentle brushing and salt water rinses, but do not delay seeking help on the basis that these measures are controlling things, particularly if any of the urgent signs above appear.
We are based at 26 High Street, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, and are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. If you have facial swelling and are unsure whether it needs urgent attention, call us on 01494 524455 and describe your symptoms. If it is outside these hours and you have any of the red flag signs listed above, do not wait for us to open, go to A&E or call 999 or NHS 111 instead.
No, a dental abscess will not resolve on its own because the infection sits inside or around the tooth and needs that source dealt with. Swelling may settle temporarily, but the infection is still there and can flare up again or spread further. See a dentist even if the swelling seems to be improving.
Not always, but it always needs treatment. A small, stable swelling with no fever and no trouble breathing or swallowing can usually wait for the next available dental appointment. Rapidly spreading swelling, fever, or difficulty swallowing or breathing is an emergency and needs immediate assessment.
Antibiotics can help control spreading infection in some situations, but they are rarely enough on their own because they do not remove the source of the problem inside the tooth. A dentist needs to examine you to decide whether draining, root canal treatment, extraction, or antibiotics alongside dental treatment is appropriate.
If you have any urgent signs such as breathing or swallowing difficulty, rapidly spreading swelling, or feeling very unwell, go to A&E or call 999, or call NHS 111 for guidance on where to go. Do not wait for a dental practice to open if these symptoms are present.
Written for Enhance Dental, Cosmetic and Training Centre. General information, not a diagnosis – if something is troubling you, call us on 01494 524455.
Practice
Treatments
Legal
4.9
1,100+ reviews on Google
