Dental abscess: what it is and why you shouldn't wait
In short: an abscess is a swelling with pus caused by a dental infection, almost always arising from deep decay, an infected nerve or the gum. It hurts, sometimes causes a fever, and won’t heal on its own: an antibiotic may ease it for a while, but if the cause isn’t treated, it comes back. You need to see the dentist as soon as possible; with major swelling or fever, it’s an emergency.
What exactly is an abscess?
It’s the body’s response to an infection: pus builds up and the area swells. It usually appears as a lump on the gum (sometimes with a little white “bubble”) or as a swelling on the cheek or lip, and it normally hurts, throbs, and can cause a fever and a bad taste in the mouth.
The source is almost always one of these:
- Deep decay that has reached the nerve and infected it.
- A tooth that already needed a root canal and has become infected.
- The gum (a periodontal abscess in advanced periodontitis).
Why you shouldn’t wait
An abscess is an active infection, and infections in the mouth can spread. What starts as a niggle can turn into significant swelling. On top of that, the pain of an abscess is the kind that won’t let you live. That’s why it isn’t a “let’s see if it goes away” sort of thing: the sooner it’s treated, the better.
The antibiotic misunderstanding
Many people take an antibiotic, notice an improvement and think that’s it. Wrong. The antibiotic brings down the infection and the pain temporarily, but it doesn’t remove the cause: the decay, the infected nerve or the gum are still there. As soon as the effect wears off, the abscess comes back. At most, the antibiotic is a support to reach the real treatment in better shape, which is resolving the source (a root canal, treating the gum or, if there’s no other option, an extraction). What’s more, self-medicating with stray antibiotics creates resistance and masks the problem.
What to do while you get to the dentist
- A painkiller you tolerate, as per the leaflet.
- Rinses with warm salt water.
- Cold to the outside of the cheek, in spells.
- Don’t burst it yourself: you could spread the infection.
- Don’t self-medicate with antibiotics on your own.
When it’s clearly an emergency
Go to A&E if there is swelling that grows quickly, a high fever, or difficulty swallowing, opening your mouth or breathing. That can’t wait.
An abscess is exactly what we want to spare you by attending your check-ups, but if you already have one, the important thing is to treat it in time. We handle emergencies; here are our contact details. Don’t let it slide.
Frequently asked questions
What is a dental abscess?
It's a swelling caused by an infection with pus, usually arising from deep decay or a tooth with an infected nerve, or from the gum. It appears as a lump on the gum or a swelling on the face, usually hurts and sometimes causes a fever. It needs dental treatment; it won't heal on its own.
Will antibiotics alone cure an abscess?
No. The antibiotic can bring down the infection and the pain temporarily, but it doesn't remove the cause (the decay, the infected nerve or the gum). If the source isn't treated, the abscess comes back. The antibiotic is a support, not the solution.
What should I do if I have an abscess?
Go to the dentist as soon as possible. In the meantime, you can take a painkiller, rinse with warm salt water and apply cold to the outside. Don't burst it or self-medicate with stray antibiotics. If there's a lot of swelling, fever or difficulty swallowing or breathing, it's an emergency.
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