A dental abscess is a collection of pus that forms in your teeth or gums as a result of a bacterial infection.
The main symptom of a dental abscess is a severe, throbbing pain at the site of the abscess. The pain usually comes on suddenly and then gets gradually worse over a few hours or a few days.
Read more about the symptoms of a dental abscess.
Types and causes of dental abscesses
There are two types of dental abscess:
- periapical abscess – where bacteria infect the inside of the tooth (this is the most common type of dental abscess)
- periodontal abscess – where bacteria infect the gums
Both types of dental abscess are caused when bacteria builds up inside your mouth. This usually occurs due to a combination of:
- poor dental hygiene – not cleaning your teeth and gums properly and regularly (find out how to brush and floss your teeth)
- consuming lots of sugary or starchy food and drink – the carbohydrates in these types of food and drink encourage bacteria to grow
Read more about the causes of a dental abscess.
Treating dental abscesses
You should make an appointment with a dentist as soon as possible if you think you may have a dental abscess.
There is little your GP can do, other than recommend painkillers, such as ibuprofen or paracetamol, to help relieve the pain. You can get these yourself from your local pharmacist.
Your dentist will be able to drain away the pus from the abscess and, if necessary, remove any teeth that have been damaged by the infection.
This type of treatment should not be too painful because local anaesthetic will be used to numb the affected area of your mouth.
Unlike some other types of infection, a dental abscess will not get better on its own and must be treated by a dentist. With appropriate treatment, the bacterial infection that causes a dental abscess can usually be successfully cured.
Read more about how a dental abscess is treated.
Complications of dental abscesses
It is rare for complications to develop as a result of a dental abscess, but they can be serious if they do occur. For example, the infection may spread to nearby bone (osteomyelitis).
Read more about the complications of a dental abscess.
Finding an NHS dentist
If you are not registered with an NHS dentist, the are a number of options available to you. You can:
- use the NHS Choices health services post code search to find a dentist in your area
- call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 to request details of dental services in your area
- text the word ‘dentist’ to 64746 or NHSGO from your mobile phone from the area where you need a dentist
- get in touch with your local primary care trust (PCT) to find out about the dental access helpline
Emergency treatment
If you have severe pain, you may need emergency out-of-hours dental treatment.
Find out how you can access an NHS dentist in an emergency or out-of-hours.
Depending on your individual circumstances, you may have to pay a fee for your treatment.
Find out more about NHS dental services.
