Tooth abscesses

A tooth abscess is a collection of pus that forms inside your tooth or the surrounding areas, such as your gums. It’s caused by an infection and can be very painful. To get rid of a tooth abscess, you need treatment from a dentist as soon as possible.

About tooth abscesses

An abscess can also form in your gums, jawbone, cheek, under your tongue or in your throat. So you might sometimes hear them referred to more generally as a ‘dental abscess’.

What causes a tooth abscess?

A tooth abscess may form when bacteria enters your teeth or gums and causes a pocket of pus to develop inside. This could be due to:.

• a cavity (hole) in your tooth
• a chip or crack in your tooth
• gum disease
• an impacted tooth (one that has not grown out of the gum properly)
• taking medications that make your mouth dry (such as antihistamines or antidepressants)
• food getting trapped in your gums
• not taking care of your teeth and gums
• undergoing radiotherapy or chemotherapy

Symptoms of a tooth abscess

If you can see a tooth abscess, it looks like a sore, because the pus builds up underneath the skin. Or you might have:

• a severe sharp pain or throbbing toothache
• sensitive teeth, and find it difficult to eat hot and cold foods
• heat, redness or swelling around your face or gums
• a bad taste or smell in your mouth
• pain when you bite or chew

Tooth abscesses also tend to become more painful the longer they go on.

If a tooth abscess bursts (ruptures) on its own, you might get a sudden unpleasant taste in your mouth and notice that the pain eases off. But if this happens, it’s still important to see your dentist so they can make sure all the pus is completely gone, stop the infection from spreading any further by checking it can be treated.

When to seek help

If you think you might have an abscess, it’s essential to see your dentist as soon as possible. Dental abscesses don’t go away by themselves. If left untreated, the pus will continue to build up and become more painful. Eventually the abscess may burst, need to be drained, or you may need to have the tooth removed completely.

Seek urgent medical attention if you suspect you have an abscess and also have:

• a fever
• difficulty breathing, swallowing or opening your mouth
• severe swelling around your mouth or face
• new pain or problems with your eyes

It could be a sign the tooth infection has spread deeper or to other areas of your body.

Self-help for a tooth abscess

If your tooth abscess is very sore, there are some things you can try to ease the pain until you see your dentist.

• Take over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen or paracetamol.
• Avoid very hot or cold food and drink.
• Try to use the other side of your mouth.
• Use a soft toothbrush.
• Avoid flossing the infected tooth.
• Eat soft foods like yoghurt, custard and smoothies.

How to treat a tooth abscess

Your dentist will examine your mouth to confirm whether or not you have a tooth abscess. They might sometimes recommend you have a dental x-ray too, to help them get a better look at things.

If you do have an abscess, the treatment you need will depend on how bad it is and where in your mouth it’s located. The aim of tooth abscess treatment is to get rid of the infection and save your tooth. This may include:

Draining the abscess

Your dentist will make a small hole in the abscess or tooth and clear away the pus inside. They may also prescribe antibiotics to treat the underlying infection if you need them.

Root canal treatment

If your abscess was caused by a problem with your tooth, your dentist may recommend you have a procedure called a root canal treatment. This aims to save your tooth so that it doesn’t need to be removed completely.

To do this, you’ll usually be given a local anaesthetic to numb the area. Then, your dentist will clean the bacteria from the centre of your tooth (known as the root canal) before filling and sealing the tooth again.

Tooth extraction

If your tooth can’t be repaired, it may need to be removed (extracted) completely as a last resort. If this happens, your dentist will usually numb the area with local anaesthetic and take out your tooth before draining the abscess. Sometimes, you might need a small stitch over the area where the tooth was removed to help it heal.