Ask for an urgent dental appointment.
Intense tooth or gum pain, facial or jaw swelling, a bad taste, fever or difficulty chewing can indicate an abscess. Contact a dentist urgently.
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Dental infections · urgent dental route
Tooth or gum infection? See a dentist—not a GP.
A suspected dental abscess needs urgent treatment by a dentist and will not go away on its own. Use this guide to recognise the signs, find the right service and know when swelling becomes an emergency.
Allhours GP is not a dental service and cannot provide dental treatment. This page is designed to help you reach the professional who can treat the cause.
Choose the correct service
Where should you go?
Dental pain can become intense quickly. The right route depends on the severity of the pain, the amount of swelling and whether breathing, swallowing, vision or mouth opening is affected.
Use NHS 111 for the next available route.
Call your own dentist first—their answerphone may explain the out-of-hours service. If you cannot get an emergency appointment, NHS 111 can direct you.
Get help from NHS 111Call 999 or go to A&E.
Emergency help is needed for breathing, speaking or swallowing difficulty, severe mouth swelling, a swollen painful eye, sudden sight problems or marked difficulty opening the mouth.
Find your nearest A&EIf the pain is severe enough to affect sleep or daily life, is not controlled by suitable pain relief, or persists despite pain relief, ask for an urgent or emergency dental appointment or contact NHS 111.
Signs of a dental abscess
Pain, swelling and pressure.
A dental abscess is a build-up of pus in a tooth or the gum caused by infection. Symptoms can involve the mouth, face and how well you feel overall.
Intense pain
Strong toothache or gum pain that may feel persistent or make biting painful.
Swelling or redness
Redness inside the mouth or swelling around the gum, cheek, face or jaw.
Taste or sensitivity
A bad taste in the mouth or pain with hot and cold food and drink.
Fever or restricted movement
A high temperature, swollen neck glands or difficulty opening the mouth and chewing.
See a dentist if toothache lasts more than 2 days, is not settling with suitable pain relief, or comes with fever, pain when biting, red gums, a bad taste, or cheek or jaw swelling.
What urgent dental care may involve
Treat the infection at its source.
The dentist will assess the painful area and choose treatment based on the tooth, gum and extent of the infection. The aim is to relieve pressure and deal with the source—not simply mask the pain.
Find an NHS dentist01
Assess the affected area.
The dentist will review the pain, swelling and mouth symptoms and examine the tooth and surrounding gum.
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Drain the abscess when needed.
Dental treatment usually involves draining the build-up of pus to relieve the infection and pressure.
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Treat the tooth itself.
Depending on the cause, root canal treatment or removal of the tooth may be needed. Local anaesthetic is used, and antibiotics may also be offered.
While you wait
Ease the pain safely.
These steps may make you more comfortable while waiting, but they do not replace urgent dental treatment or remove the source of an abscess.
01
Use suitable pain relief
Paracetamol or ibuprofen may help when suitable for you. Follow the packet instructions and ask a pharmacist if you are unsure. Children under 16 should not take aspirin.
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Choose softer foods
Eat soft foods, chew away from the sore tooth and avoid food or drink that is very hot, cold or sugary if it worsens the pain.
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Clean gently
Use a soft toothbrush around the area. Adults may rinse with warm salt water and spit it out; children should not use a salt-water rinse in case they swallow it.
Never take more than the recommended dose of a painkiller. Taking extra will not make it work better and can be dangerous. Avoid smoking, which can make some dental problems worse.
Why the route matters
A GP cannot remove the dental cause.
A dental abscess will not clear by itself. It may require drainage, root canal treatment or removal of the affected tooth—procedures provided by a dentist.
Antibiotics may form part of the dental plan, but they do not replace treatment of the tooth or gum. Do not attend a GP surgery for dental treatment. If you cannot reach a dentist, use NHS 111 for help finding the appropriate urgent service.
Read NHS dental abscess guidance ↗Good to know
Questions about dental infections.
Clear answers for choosing the right professional and acting safely.
Will a dental abscess go away by itself?
No. A dental abscess needs urgent treatment by a dentist. Delaying can allow the pain, swelling or infection to worsen.
Can Allhours GP treat a dental infection?
No. Allhours GP cannot provide dental treatment, drain an abscess, carry out a root canal or remove a tooth. Contact an urgent dentist or use NHS 111 if you cannot obtain an appointment.
Does every dental abscess need antibiotics?
The dentist decides after assessing you. Treatment usually focuses on draining the abscess and treating the affected tooth; antibiotics may also be offered when appropriate.
Can a pharmacist help?
A pharmacist can advise on suitable pain relief and ways to manage common mouth and tooth symptoms while you wait. Pharmacy advice does not replace the dental appointment.
What if my dentist is closed?
Call the practice first because its answerphone may provide out-of-hours instructions. If you have no dentist or cannot get an emergency appointment, call 111 or use NHS 111 online.
When is a dental infection an emergency?
Call 999 or go to A&E if swelling makes it difficult to breathe, speak or swallow; there is a lot of swelling in the mouth; an eye is swollen or painful; sight changes suddenly; or opening the mouth becomes very difficult.
Clinical information: NHS dental abscessNHS urgent dental careNHS toothache. This information is general and does not replace individual dental or medical advice.