A throbbing tooth, a swollen gum or a bad taste in your mouth can be worrying, especially when the pain is getting worse. These can be dental abscess symptoms. An abscess is a pocket of infection that needs to be assessed by a dentist, because it rarely settles properly without professional care. At Beckenham Smiles Dental, we see patients from Beckenham, Penge and West Wickham who are unsure whether what they are feeling is urgent. This guide explains the signs to look for, which symptoms need a dentist and which need emergency medical help, and what treatment usually involves.
If you have difficulty breathing or swallowing, or swelling that is spreading quickly across your face or neck, call 999 or go to A&E now.
Call Beckenham Smiles Dental on 0203 805 2380 | Book your appointment online
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. Appointments subject to availability.
The short answer
Common dental abscess symptoms include a persistent throbbing toothache, pain when biting, swelling in the gum or face, a bad taste in the mouth and sometimes a fever. See a dentist urgently if you suspect an abscess. Call 999 or go to A&E if you have trouble breathing or swallowing, or swelling spreading to your neck or eye.
Dental abscess symptoms: what to look for
A dental abscess is a collection of pus caused by a bacterial infection, usually around the root of a tooth or in the gum beside it. Symptoms vary, but often include:
- A throbbing toothache that may come on suddenly and spread to the jaw, ear or neck
- Pain when biting or chewing, or when the tooth is touched
- Sensitivity to hot or cold drinks
- A red, swollen or tender gum, sometimes with a small bump like a pimple
- Swelling in the cheek, jaw or face
- A bad taste or bad breath, especially if the abscess has burst
- A raised temperature or feeling generally unwell
- Tender glands under the jaw or in the neck
Not every abscess hurts. Pain can ease when the infection finds a way out, or when the nerve inside the tooth has died. That does not mean the infection has gone, and only an examination can confirm the cause.
Is a dental abscess an emergency?
It can be. Some abscesses need prompt dental assessment, and a small number of infections need emergency medical care because infection can spread beyond the tooth. This table shows who to contact.
| Who to contact | Symptoms | What to do |
| Your dentist, urgently | Throbbing pain, swollen gum, bad taste, pain on biting, mild to moderate facial swelling, toothache lasting more than two days | Phone the practice as early as you can in opening hours, describe your symptoms and ask about an emergency appointment |
| NHS 111 online | Dental symptoms when the practice is closed, or you are unsure how urgent things are | Use 111.nhs.uk or call 111 for advice |
| 999 or A&E | Difficulty breathing or swallowing, swelling spreading quickly across the face or neck or towards the eye, difficulty opening your mouth, high temperature with feeling very unwell, confusion or drowsiness | Call 999 or go to A&E straight away. Do not wait for a dental appointment |
Breathing, swallowing and fast-growing swelling should never wait for a routine booking. If you are not sure which row fits you, our guide to [emergency dental care in Beckenham]([PILLAR PAGE URL]) explains what counts as urgent.
Call Beckenham Smiles Dental on 0203 805 2380 | Book your appointment online
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. Appointments subject to availability.
What causes a dental abscess?
- Tooth decay that reaches the pulp, the soft centre of the tooth containing nerves and blood vessels
- A cracked tooth, or a damaged or leaking filling, that lets bacteria in
- Gum disease, which can create a pocket of infection beside the tooth
- An injury to a tooth
Regular check-ups with a general dentistry team make it easier to treat decay and damaged fillings before they reach this stage.
Can a dental abscess go away on its own?
Pain may ease and swelling may drain, but the source of infection is normally still there, so it can return. If an abscess bursts, you may notice a sudden salty or foul taste and some relief. You should still be seen.
Never squeeze, pierce or try to drain an abscess yourself, as this can push infection deeper. Do not take leftover antibiotics, because the wrong type or dose can mask symptoms without treating the cause.
How is a dental abscess treated?
Treatment aims to remove the source of infection and relieve pain. What is right for you depends on the tooth and what the examination shows.
Examination and X-rays
Your dentist will look at the tooth and gum, ask about your symptoms and usually take an X-ray to see the root area and the surrounding bone.
Draining the infection
If there is a collection of pus, your dentist may drain it to ease pressure and pain. This is normally done under local anaesthetic.
Saving the tooth with root canal treatment
Where a tooth can be restored, root canal treatment removes the infected tissue from inside it. The tooth often needs a crown afterwards to protect it.
Removing the tooth
If a tooth is too damaged to restore, extraction may be recommended. Some teeth need a surgical extraction, for example where they are broken down or hard to reach. Extraction is only suggested when saving the tooth is not realistic.
Are antibiotics always needed?
No. Removing the source of infection is the main treatment, and antibiotics alone do not usually fix an abscess. Your dentist may prescribe them where there is spreading infection or you are unwell. They can only advise this after examining you.
What to do while waiting for your appointment
These steps are temporary and do not replace treatment.
- Check the 999 symptoms in the table above first.
- Take pain relief exactly as the packet directs. Ask a pharmacist if you are unsure, as ibuprofen is not suitable for everyone.
- Rinse gently with warm salty water and spit it out.
- Rest with your head slightly raised.
- Eat soft foods, chew on the other side and avoid very hot or cold drinks.
- Keep brushing, taking care around the sore area.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Taking leftover antibiotics
- Placing aspirin on the gum, which can burn the tissue
- Using household chemicals or unproven remedies on the area
- Squeezing or piercing the swelling
- Assuming it is fixed because the pain has stopped
Who should seek help sooner?
Contact a dentist or NHS 111 early if the person affected is a child, is pregnant, has diabetes or a heart condition, or has a weakened immune system, and tell the team about this. Mild sensitivity with no swelling, bad taste or lasting pain may be suitable for a routine appointment, but it is still worth having checked.
How much does dental abscess treatment cost?
At Beckenham Smiles Dental, an emergency appointment is from £85 and abscess treatment is from £125. These are separate starting prices, not a total cost. Extra treatment may cost more, such as X-rays (£19 to £22), a prescription (from £50), root canal treatment (from £495), an extraction (from £200), a surgical extraction (from £350) or a porcelain or zirconium crown (from £845). You will be given a clear price after your examination. Our fee guide lists current prices, and 0% APR finance through Tabeo may be available for some treatment, subject to approval.
How to book at Beckenham Smiles Dental
- Address: 122-124 High Street, Beckenham, BR3 1EB
- Phone: 0203 805 2380
- Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. Closed Saturday, Sunday and bank holidays
- Online: Book your appointment online
Please call during opening hours, describe your symptoms and confirm availability before travelling. Emergency appointments are offered subject to availability. Outside opening hours, use NHS 111 online, and call 999 for serious symptoms.
Conclusion
Dental abscess symptoms are easy to dismiss, particularly when the pain comes and goes. A swollen gum, a throbbing tooth or a bad taste is worth having examined, and breathing difficulty, swallowing difficulty or fast-spreading swelling needs emergency medical help. Our team in Beckenham can examine the tooth, explain what we find and talk through your options before anything is done.
Call Beckenham Smiles Dental on 0203 805 2380 | Book your appointment online
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. Appointments subject to availability.
Frequently asked questions
You may see a red, swollen area of gum, sometimes with a pimple-like bump, or swelling of the cheek or jaw. Some abscesses cannot be seen at all. A dentist needs to examine the tooth to confirm what is happening.
Difficulty breathing or swallowing, swelling spreading quickly across the face or neck, or a high temperature with feeling very unwell are signs to call 999 or go to A&E. Pain and swelling without these still need prompt dental assessment.
Pain can ease or the abscess can burst, but the infection source usually remains. It can come back and may spread. It is best to have it assessed even if you feel better.
Our practice is closed on Saturday, Sunday and bank holidays. Use NHS 111 online for advice, and call 999 or go to A&E if you have serious symptoms. If your symptoms are mild, call us when we open.
No. Treating the source of the infection is the main aim, and antibiotics alone do not usually solve the problem. Your dentist will decide whether they are appropriate.
Yes. Pain from an infected tooth can spread to the ear, jaw or neck, which can make it hard to tell which tooth is responsible. An X-ray and examination help to find the cause.
There is no safe waiting time that applies to everyone. Contact a dentist as soon as you notice symptoms, and seek emergency help if you develop breathing or swallowing problems or rapidly spreading swelling.
No. This can spread the infection and cause more pain. Leave draining to a dentist.
An emergency appointment is from £85 and abscess treatment is from £125. These are separate starting prices, and further treatment may cost more. Please see our fee guide for details.
