Could Your Tooth or Gum Be Infected?
A throbbing tooth, a tender lump on the gum or a bad taste that keeps returning can be worrying, and it is natural to wonder whether it is an infection. Dental abscess symptoms vary from person to person, which is why they are easy to put off or mistake for ordinary toothache. A dental abscess is a collection of pus linked to infection in or around a tooth, and it needs assessment by a dentist. Only an examination can confirm what is going on.
This guide covers the signs to look out for, what you can safely do in the meantime and when symptoms need emergency medical help. If you have difficulty breathing or swallowing, or swelling that is spreading quickly, call 999 or go to A&E. Otherwise, Great Bookham Dental Practice can talk through your symptoms and check appointment availability.
Suspect a dental abscess?
Contact Great Bookham Dental Practice promptly to discuss your symptoms and ask about appointment availability.
Call Great Bookham Dental Practice on 01372 454 355 | Book your appointment online
Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm. Saturday, 10am to 2pm. Closed Sunday and bank holidays. Appointments subject to availability.
Quick answer: Common dental abscess symptoms include a throbbing toothache, a swollen or tender gum, pain when biting, a bad taste in the mouth and sometimes facial swelling or a fever. A suspected abscess needs prompt dental assessment, because home care does not remove the infection. Difficulty breathing or swallowing needs emergency medical help.
What Is a Dental Abscess?
A dental abscess is a pocket of pus that forms when bacteria cause an infection in or around a tooth. The body responds to the infection, and pus collects in the area. People often call it a tooth infection, and the two terms are used loosely in everyday conversation.
There are two main types:
- An abscess at the root of a tooth. This can happen when the soft centre of the tooth (the pulp) becomes infected, often after deep decay, a crack or an injury. The infection can spread beyond the tip of the root into the surrounding bone.
- An abscess in the gum or supporting tissues. This is sometimes called a gum abscess. It can develop beside a tooth, for example where gum disease has created a deep pocket or where food has become trapped.
Infections develop for different reasons, and the source is not always obvious, so an examination is needed to work out where the problem started. Not every swollen gum is an abscess. Gums can swell because of irritation, inflammation or other causes, which is another reason to have changes checked rather than guess.
What Are the Symptoms of a Dental Abscess?
Some people notice several of the signs below and others only one or two. You can have an abscess without experiencing every symptom.
Throbbing or persistent toothache
Pain is often constant and throbbing, and it may spread towards the jaw, neck or ear. It can feel worse at night or when you lie down.
Swollen or tender gums
The gum near the affected tooth may look red, puffy or feel sore to touch. Sometimes a small lump or bubble forms on the gum.
Facial or jaw swelling
Swelling in the cheek, jaw or face suggests the infection may be spreading into surrounding tissues. This needs prompt attention, and the emergency signs below explain when it becomes urgent.
Sensitivity or pain when biting
The tooth may feel tender or “high” when you bite, or react to hot and cold drinks. Pain on chewing is a common reason people avoid one side of the mouth.
Unpleasant taste or discharge
If an abscess drains into the mouth, you may notice a salty or foul taste, a bad smell or a sudden release of fluid. The pain sometimes eases afterwards, but that does not mean the problem has gone.
Fever or feeling unwell
A raised temperature, tiredness or generally feeling unwell alongside dental symptoms can suggest that the infection is more significant.
The absence of a fever does not mean a problem is safe to ignore. If something does not feel right, have it checked.
When Does a Dental Abscess Become an Emergency?
It helps to think of two levels of urgency.
Prompt dental assessment. Contact a dentist as soon as you can if you have a suspected abscess, persistent or worsening tooth pain, localised swelling, pus or a bad taste, or symptoms that are getting worse.
Emergency medical help. Call 999 or go to A&E if you have:
- difficulty breathing or swallowing
- swelling that is spreading rapidly across the face or neck
- swelling around or near the eye
- a high fever, confusion or feeling severely unwell
These signs can point to a serious infection and should not wait for a dental appointment. If the practice is closed and you are unsure how urgent your symptoms are, NHS 111 online can give urgent advice.
Swelling or suspected infection?
Contact Great Bookham Dental Practice promptly for dental advice. Ask about urgent appointment availability.
Call 01372 454 355 | [Emergency dental care in Great Bookham]([PILLAR PAGE URL])
Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm. Saturday, 10am to 2pm. Closed Sunday and bank holidays. Appointments subject to availability.
What Should You Do If You Suspect a Dental Abscess?
- Contact a dentist promptly and describe your symptoms, including any swelling or fever.
- Keep the area clean. Brush gently and rinse with warm water, without pressing on the swelling.
- Choose soft foods and avoid chewing on the affected side.
- If suitable for you, take over-the-counter pain relief according to the packet instructions. Ask a pharmacist if you are unsure, for example if you are pregnant or take other medicines.
- Seek emergency medical help if any serious warning signs develop.
Home care may ease discomfort, but it does not remove the source of an abscess.
What not to do
- Do not squeeze, scratch or try to burst the swelling.
- Do not place aspirin directly on the gum or tooth. It can irritate or burn the soft tissue.
- Do not use leftover antibiotics. They may be the wrong type, and they do not replace dental treatment.
How Is a Dental Abscess Treated?
The dentist will examine the tooth and surrounding gum and ask about your symptoms and general health. An X-ray is often taken if it is clinically appropriate, as it helps to show what is happening around the root. The right treatment depends on those findings, and may include:
- Drainage of the abscess where this is indicated. Incision of an abscess starts from £95.
- Root canal treatment if the tooth can be saved. The infected pulp is removed and the inside of the tooth cleaned and sealed. Root canal treatment starts from £500.
- Removal of the tooth if it cannot be saved, or if extraction is the most suitable option. Tooth extraction starts from £200, and complex or surgical extractions from £475.
- Antibiotics where they are clinically indicated, for example if there are signs of spreading infection. They are not a substitute for treating the source of the problem. A prescription starts from £50.
Where a tooth needs urgent relief before longer treatment, a dentist may open the tooth to ease pressure and place a dressing (extirpation and dressing, from £200). Whether this is suitable depends on the examination.
These are starting prices, not a total cost. An examination (£75 for a new adult patient) and an intra-oral X-ray (£25) are charged separately, and extra treatment may cost more. Your dentist will explain your options and costs before you decide, and current prices are in our fee guide. For a wider overview, see our page on emergency dentist care in Great Bookham
Can a Dental Abscess Go Away on Its Own?
It can seem as though it does. If an abscess drains, either through the gum or through the tooth, the pressure drops and the pain may ease quite suddenly. That is not the same as the infection resolving. The source is still there, and symptoms can fade and return, sometimes with more swelling than before.
An untreated tooth infection can also spread to surrounding tissues. This is why a dentist should assess any suspected abscess even if the pain improves. Waiting to see whether it settles is not a reliable plan.
Getting Urgent Dental Care in Great Bookham
Great Bookham Dental Practice is at 1 The Garstons, Great Bookham, Surrey, KT23 3DT, and patients visit from Little Bookham, Fetcham and Ashtead as well as the village itself. Call during opening hours, describe your symptoms and confirm availability before you travel.
When you call, say where the pain is, how long it has been there, whether you have swelling, a bad taste or a fever and what you have taken for the pain. This helps the team understand how urgent it is.
- Phone: 01372 454 355
- Online: Book your appointment online
- Hours: Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm. Saturday, 10am to 2pm. Closed Sunday and bank holidays. Appointments subject to availability.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Abscesses
Early signs often include a persistent or throbbing toothache, tenderness when biting and sensitivity to hot or cold. You may then notice gum swelling, a bad taste or a small lump on the gum. Symptoms vary, so have any of these checked.
Yes. Swelling in the cheek, jaw or face can occur when infection spreads into the surrounding tissues. It needs prompt assessment, and rapidly spreading swelling needs emergency medical help.
No. Some abscesses cause little pain, especially if they drain, but the infection can still be present. A sudden drop in pain does not mean the problem has resolved.
Antibiotics can help control spreading infection, and a dentist may prescribe them when it is clinically appropriate. They do not remove the source of the infection, so dental treatment is usually still needed.
Contact a dentist promptly if you suspect one, ideally as soon as the practice opens. Ask about urgent appointment availability when you call, as it cannot be promised in advance.
Go to A&E or call 999 if you have difficulty breathing or swallowing, swelling that is spreading quickly across the face or neck, swelling near the eye or you feel severely unwell. If you are unsure out of hours, NHS 111 online can advise.
Seeing a Dentist Promptly Matters
A suspected dental abscess is not something to wait out. Keep the area clean, avoid the risky home remedies and watch for the signs that mean you need emergency medical help. For anything else, an examination is the way to find the source and decide on treatment.
Call Great Bookham Dental Practice on 01372 454 355 | Book your appointment online
Great Bookham Dental Practice, 1 The Garstons, Great Bookham, Surrey, KT23 3DT.
Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm. Saturday, 10am to 2pm. Closed Sunday and bank holidays. Appointments subject to availability.
