Dental abscess

Dental abscess | NHS inform Home Illnesses and conditions Symptoms and self-help Tests and treatments Healthy living Care, support and rights Scotlands Service Directory 0 Home Illnesses and conditions Mouth Dental abscess Dental abscess If you have a dental problem you should, in the first instance always phone the dental practice that you normally attend . If you are not registered with any dental practice thenyou should read our advice on dental emergencies . A dental abscess is a collection of pus that can form inside the teeth, in the gums, or in the bone that holds the teeth in place. Its caused by a bacterial infection. An abscess at the end of a tooth is called a periapical abscess. An abscess in the gum is called a periodontal abscess. Dental abscesses are often painful, but arent always. In either case, they should be looked at by a dentist. Its important to get help as soon as possible, because abscesses dont go away on their own. They can sometimes spread to other parts of the body and make you ill. Symptoms of a dental abscess Symptoms of an abscess in your tooth or gum may include: an intense, throbbing pain in the affected tooth or gum that may come on suddenly andgets gradually worse painthat spreads toyour ear, jaw and neck on the same side asthe affected tooth or gum pain thats worse when lying down, which may disturb your sleep redness and swelling inyour face a tender, discoloured and/or loose tooth shiny, red and swollen gums sensitivity to hot or cold food and drink bad breathand/or an unpleasant taste in your mouth If the infection spreads, you may also developa high temperature (fever) and feel generally unwell. In severe cases, you may find it hard to fully open your mouth andhave difficulty swallowing or breathing. What to do if you have a dental abscess You should see a dentist as soon as possible if you think you have a dental abscess. Avoid visiting your GP, as there is little they can do to help. You can get help from: your registered dentist if its out of hours, they should have an answerphone message with details of how to access out-of-hoursdental treatment NHS 24 111 service who can give you details ofdental services in your area your localclinical commissioning group (CCG)who can tell you the phone number ofyour localdental access helpline your local accident and emergency (A&E) departmentif there are no other options or youre having difficulty breathing You may have to pay for emergency NHS dental treatment, depending on your circumstances. Read about NHS dental charges. Relieving your symptoms While youre waiting to see a dentist, painkillers can help control your pain. Ibuprofen is the preferred painkiller for dental abscesses, but if youre unable to take it for medical reasons, you can take paracetamol instead. Aspirinshouldnt be given tochildren under 16. If one painkiller doesnt relieve the pain, taking both paracetamol and ibuprofen at the doses shown in the medicine leaflet may help. This is safe for adults, but not for children under 16. It may also help to: avoid hot or cold food and drink if it makes the pain worse try eating cool, soft foods if possible, using the opposite side of your mouth use a soft toothbrush and temporarily avoid flossing around the affected tooth These measures can help relieve your symptoms temporarily, but you shouldnt use them to delay getting help from a dentist. Treatments for a dental abscess Dental abscesses are treated by removing the source of the infection and draining away the pus. Depending on the location of the abscess and how severe the infection is, possible treatments include: removing the affected tooth (extraction)  this may be necessary if root canal treatment isnt possible root canal treatment  a procedure to remove the abscess from the root of an affected tooth before filling and sealing it incision and drainage  where a small cut (incision) is made in the gum to drain the abscess (this is usually only a temporary solution and further treatment may be needed) Local anaesthetic will usually be used to numb your mouth for these procedures. More extensive operations may be carried out under general anaesthetic (where youre asleep). Antibiotics arent routinely prescribed for dental abscesses, but may be used if the infection spreads or is particularly severe. What causes dental abscesses? Your mouth is full of bacteria, which form a sticky film on your teeth called plaque. If you dont keep your teeth clean, acids produced by the bacteria in plaque can damage your teeth and gums, leading to tooth decay or gum disease . The following can increase your chances of developing a dental abscess: poor oral hygiene  plaque can build-up on your teeth if you dont floss and brush your teeth regularly consuming lots of sugary or starchy food and drink  these can encourage the growth of bacteria in plaque and may lead to decay that can result in an abscess an injury or previous surgery to your teeth or gums  bacteria can get into any damaged parts of the teeth or gums having a weakened immune system  this includes people with certain underlying health conditions, such as diabetes ,andthose having treatment, including steroid medication or chemotherapy Preventing dental abscesses You can reduce your risk of developing dental abscesses by keeping your teeth and gums as healthy as possible. To do this, you should: use floss or an interdental brush at least once a day to clean between your teeth and under the gum line brush your teeth with afluoride toothpaste twice a day spending at least two minutes each time avoid rinsing your mouth with water or mouthwash after brushing because this washes the protective toothpaste away  just spit out any excess toothpaste cut down on sugary and starchy food and drinks particularly between meals or shortly before going to bed visit your dentist regularly  your dentist can suggest how often you should have a check-up, based on your oral health Read more on how to keep your teeth clean and dental check-ups . Source: NHS 24 - Opens in new browser window Last updated: 05 December 2023 How can we improve this page? Help us improve NHS inform Thank You Your feedback has been received Dont include personal information e.g. name, location or any personal health conditions. 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