A dental abscess is a collection of pus caused by a bacterial infection in or around a tooth or gum. It can develop when bacteria enter damaged or decayed tooth tissue, or when infection affects the tissues supporting a tooth.
A dental abscess needs urgent assessment by a dentist. Although an abscess may sometimes burst and release pus, this does not mean the underlying infection has been treated. The best treatment for tooth abscess depends on where the infection has developed, what caused it and whether the affected tooth can be saved.
What Is a Dental Abscess?
A dental abscess forms when an infection causes pus to collect within the tissues around a tooth or in the gums. It is a localised infection rather than simply another form of toothache. An abscess can occur around the root of a tooth, within the gum or around a tooth that has not erupted normally. The location matters because different types of abscess require different treatment approaches.
A dentoalveolar abscess is a clinical term used for an abscess arising from a tooth and affecting the surrounding tissues. It can include infections such as a periapical abscess, which develops around the tip of a tooth’s root. In patient-facing information, the broader term dental abscess is more commonly used.
If you have been told you have an abscess, or you suspect you have one, a dentist needs to assess the affected area rather than relying on symptoms alone. For a more detailed explanation of what a dental abscess is and where it can develop, see our guide to What Is a Dental Abscess?.
What Causes a Dental Abscess?
Dental abscesses generally develop when bacteria enter or spread through damaged dental tissues. Tooth decay and gum disease are common underlying problems, while an injured, cracked or otherwise damaged tooth can also become infected. An impacted tooth may cause an abscess around the surrounding gum tissue. The cause is important because treating the abscess without addressing the original problem may not provide a lasting solution. For a closer look at how dental infections develop, read What Causes a Dental Abscess?.
Dental Abscess Signs and Symptoms
A dental abscess can produce several noticeable changes, although symptoms vary depending on its location and stage. Tooth or gum pain, swelling, sensitivity, a bad taste caused by pus and difficulty chewing can occur. Some people may also develop a fever or swelling around the jaw. Because symptoms can overlap with other dental problems, a dentist should confirm the diagnosis rather than assuming that every painful tooth has an abscess. Read Dental Abscess Signs and Symptoms for a detailed guide to recognising the condition.
How Is a Dental Abscess Diagnosed?
A dentist will examine your teeth, gums and surrounding tissues to identify the source of the infection. They may assess the affected tooth in several ways and use an abscess tooth x ray when they need to investigate the tooth roots, surrounding bone or an area that cannot be assessed fully by looking inside the mouth. Diagnosis helps determine whether the infection is associated with the tooth itself, the surrounding gum or another dental problem.
Dental Abscess Treatment
The main aim of tooth abscess treatment is to control the infection and deal with its source. Depending on the circumstances, treatment may involve draining the pus, root canal treatment or removing the affected tooth. Where possible, dental treatment is used to establish drainage and remove the cause of the infection. Antibiotics may be appropriate in certain circumstances, but they are not a replacement for treating the source of a dental abscess.
Draining Abscess Tooth
A dentist may need to drain an abscess to release the accumulated pus. How this is done depends on where the abscess has formed and what is causing it. Avoid popping a tooth abscess by yourself. If an abscess drains on its own, the pressure may decrease, and you may feel better temporarily, but the underlying source of infection can remain. Professional assessment is still necessary after a ruptured dental abscess or when it has drained.
Abscess Tooth Extraction
An abscessed tooth does not automatically need to be extracted. However, if a tooth has extensive decay, severe structural damage or cannot be restored reliably, dental abscess tooth extraction may be the appropriate way to eliminate the source of infection. When a tooth can be predictably saved, root canal treatment may provide an alternative to extraction. Your dentist will assess the tooth and surrounding tissues before recommending the most appropriate option.
Root Canal
If infection has reached the inside of a tooth, root canal treatment may be used to remove the infected pulp while preserving the natural tooth. A root canal abscess can develop when infection inside the tooth spreads through the root canal system towards the tissues around the root. The dentist removes the infected tissue, cleans the root canals and seals the tooth to reduce the risk of further infection. Whether root canal treatment is appropriate depends on the condition and restorability of the tooth.
What You Need to Know About Root Canal Abscess
A root canal abscess develops when bacteria infect the inside of a tooth, and the infection spreads through the root canal system towards the tissues around the root. This can result in a collection of dental abscess pus around the tip of the tooth’s root, known as a periapical abscess. If infection has reached the inside of a tooth, root canal treatment may be used to remove the infected pulp while retaining the natural tooth. The dentist removes the infected tissue, cleans the root canals and seals the tooth to reduce the risk of further infection.
An abscess in root canal tooth can sometimes be treated with root canal treatment if the tooth is sufficiently healthy and structurally sound to restore. Whether this approach is appropriate depends on the condition and restorability of the tooth. Perfect Smile provides root canal treatment, including complex endodontic care where appropriate, to preserve natural teeth when they can be successfully treated.
Dental Abscess Antibiotics Treatments
Antibiotics can form part of dental abscess management, but they are not routinely required for every abscess. UK dental prescribing guidance recommends local dental measures to establish drainage and address the cause wherever possible. Antibiotics are generally reserved for situations involving spreading infection, systemic involvement or an increased risk of complications. The choice of antibiotic, where one is required, should be made by a dental professional. For a detailed explanation, see Antibiotics for a Tooth Abscess.
Different Forms of Dental Abscess
Not every dental abscess develops in the same place. The main types include periapical abscesses, which form around the tip of a tooth root, periodontal abscesses, which develop within the supporting tissues around a tooth, and gingival abscesses, which are confined to the gum. The distinction matters because the underlying cause and treatment can differ. Learn more in our guide to Types of Dental Abscesses.
Dental Abscess Pain Relief
If an abscess is causing pain, temporary measures may make you more comfortable while you arrange dental treatment. NHS guidance recommends appropriate doses of painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen where suitable, alongside softer foods and avoiding very hot or cold food and drink. These measures do not remove the infection, so pain relief should not be viewed as a cure. For more information, read managing dental abscess pain.
Can a Dental Abscess Go Away on Its Own?
A dental abscess should not be left untreated. Tooth abscess draining on its own may happen, which can reduce pressure and temporarily change how the area feels. However, the infection and its underlying cause may still be present. NHS guidance states that a dental abscess will not go away on its own and recommends urgent dental treatment. Even if the swelling or pain improves after an abscess drains, arrange a dental assessment.
Is a Dental Abscess an Emergency?
A suspected dental abscess requires urgent dental attention. Contact your dentist for an urgent appointment, particularly if you have significant pain, swelling or other signs of infection. If you cannot access an urgent NHS dentist in England, NHS 111 can advise you about where to obtain tooth abscess emergency dental care.
Some symptoms require immediate medical attention. Go to A&E or call 999 if you have severe swelling that makes it difficult to breathe, speak or swallow, significant swelling around the mouth, or swelling/pain around the eye accompanied by vision problems.
What Happens with Untreated Dental Abscess?
An untreated abscess can continue to spread beyond the original site of infection. The infection may extend into surrounding tissues, causing increasing swelling and potentially affecting areas beyond the tooth and jaw.
This is why simply waiting for an abscess to settle is not recommended. Prompt dental treatment allows the source of infection to be identified and managed before the problem becomes more difficult to treat.
Dental Abscess Treatment at Perfect Smile
Perfect Smile offers emergency dental care, root canal treatment, tooth extractions and restorative dentistry across its UK practices. Its emergency services include assessment and management of dental abscesses and other infections, while its endodontic services focus on treating infections inside teeth and preserving natural teeth where appropriate. The appropriate treatment depends on the individual tooth and the nature of the infection. An examination allows the dentist to establish what is causing the problem and discuss the available options.
How Can Dental Abscesses Be Prevented?
Preventing the dental problems that can lead to infection is one of the best ways to reduce the risk of an abscess. Brush your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, clean between your teeth daily, and attend regular dental check-ups. Treating tooth decay and gum problems early can also help prevent infection from progressing deeper into the tooth or surrounding tissues.
FAQs
Can a Dental Abscess Be Treated Without Removing the Tooth?
Yes. When the tooth is sufficiently healthy and structurally sound to restore, treatment such as root canal therapy may allow it to remain in place. The decision depends on factors including the extent of infection, the amount of healthy tooth remaining and whether the tooth can be restored successfully after treatment. Saving a natural tooth is often possible, but it is not appropriate in every case.
How quickly should a dental abscess be treated?
A suspected dental abscess should be assessed urgently by a dentist. Do not wait for it to disappear, even if symptoms temporarily improve.
Can a dentist save a tooth with an abscess?
Often, yes. If the tooth can be restored, root canal treatment may remove the infection from inside the tooth while allowing the natural tooth to remain. Extraction may be considered when the tooth cannot be predictably restored.
What happens if a tooth abscess bursts?
The release of pus may reduce pressure and make the area feel better temporarily. However, the source of infection may remain, so you should still arrange an urgent dental assessment.
Does every dental abscess need antibiotics?
No. Antibiotics are generally reserved for dental infections where there is spreading infection, systemic involvement or an increased risk of complications. Local dental treatment remains the priority where possible.
Can an abscess return after treatment?
A recurring tooth abscess is a possibility underlying source of infection has not been fully resolved or if a previously treated tooth becomes infected again. Your dentist can assess the tooth and recommend appropriate follow-up where necessary.
