Dental Abscess: Symptoms, Emergency Treatment and Costs in the UK

Last updated: December 2025. This guide covers dental abscess symptoms, treatments, and NHS costs across the UK.

A dental abscess is a serious bacterial infection that requires urgent treatment. It will not go away on its own and, if left untreated, can lead to life-threatening complications including sepsis. This comprehensive guide explains everything you need to know about dental abscesses, from recognising the symptoms to understanding treatment options and costs.

What is a Dental Abscess?

A dental abscess is a collection of pus that forms inside the teeth, in the gums, or in the bone that holds the teeth in place. It's caused by a bacterial infection and can develop from untreated tooth decay, gum disease, or dental injuries.

There are two main types of dental abscess:

"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. It's caused by a bacterial infection." — NHS, Dental Abscess

Symptoms of a Dental Abscess

Common Symptoms

Recognising the symptoms early is crucial for getting prompt treatment:

• Severe, throbbing pain in the affected tooth or gum that may come on suddenly and get gradually worse
• Pain that spreads to your ear, jaw, and neck on the same side
• Pain that's worse when lying down, which may disturb your sleep
• Redness and swelling in your face
• A tender, discoloured, or loose tooth
• Shiny, red, and swollen gums
• Sensitivity to hot or cold food and drink
• Bad breath or an unpleasant taste in your mouth

When It Becomes a Medical Emergency

A dental abscess can become a medical emergency if the infection spreads. Call 999 or go to A&E immediately if you experience:

• Difficulty breathing or swallowing — This can indicate the infection is spreading to your airway
• Severe swelling of your mouth, lips, throat, or neck
• High fever (above 38.5°C or 39.5°C)
• Swelling that's closing your eye
• Signs of sepsis: confusion, rapid heartbeat, rapid breathing, extreme fatigue

"Severe odontogenic infections require urgent referral for admission to protect the airway, achieve surgical drainage, and receive IV antibiotics." — NHS Scotland, Clinical Guidelines

Do not drive to A&E. Ask someone to drive you or call 999 for an ambulance.

What to Do If You Have a Dental Abscess

Steps to Take

1. Contact your dentist immediately or call NHS 111 if you cannot reach your dentist
2. Take painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen (not aspirin for under-16s)
3. Rinse with warm salt water to help reduce bacteria
4. Eat soft foods like soup, scrambled eggs, and yoghurt
5. Avoid hot, cold, or sweet foods that may worsen pain

What NOT to Do

"Analgesics should not be used to delay appropriate dental treatment. Regular analgesia should be first option until a dentist can be seen for urgent drainage." — NHS England, Clinical Guidance

Treatment for Dental Abscesses

How Dental Abscesses Are Treated

Treatment must be provided by a dentist. The primary treatment is draining the pus, which may be done by:

1. Incision and drainage — The dentist makes a small cut in the gum to drain the abscess
2. Root canal treatment — To save the tooth if possible
3. Tooth extraction — If the tooth cannot be saved

Are Antibiotics Needed?

Antibiotics are not always necessary. They're only prescribed when:

• There are signs of severe or spreading infection
• You have systemic symptoms (fever, malaise)
• You have a high risk of complications
• Lymph nodes are involved

Important: Antibiotics alone will not cure a dental abscess. Drainage by a dentist is essential.

Recovery Expectations

If pain and swelling get worse 4-6 days after treatment, contact your dentist as this may indicate an infection.

Cost of Dental Abscess Treatment

NHS Costs in England (from 1 April 2025)

Note: You only pay one band charge per course of treatment, even if multiple visits are required.

NHS Costs Across the UK

Scotland bonus: Free dental examinations for everyone, and free treatment for everyone under 26.

Private Treatment Costs

Private costs vary significantly by location:

Regional variations:

• London and South East typically charge higher rates
• Scotland and Northern Ireland tend to be 20-30% lower
• Cambridge and Watford often match or exceed London prices

Who Qualifies for Free NHS Treatment?

You're entitled to free NHS dental treatment if you're:

• Under 18, or under 19 and in full-time education
• Pregnant or had a baby in the last 12 months (with valid MatEx certificate)
• Receiving qualifying benefits:
  • Income Support
  • Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
  • Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
  • Universal Credit (if you meet the earnings threshold)
• Holding a valid HC2 certificate from the NHS Low Income Scheme

Scotland: Everyone under 26 receives free NHS dental treatment, and examinations are free for all ages.

"It's your own responsibility to check that you're entitled before claiming free dental treatment. If you claim free treatment that you're not entitled to, you could have to pay a penalty charge of up to £100." — NHSBSA, Free NHS Dental Treatment

How to Find Emergency Dental Care

During Normal Hours

Contact your regular dental practice directly. Explain you have an abscess and need urgent treatment — most practices reserve emergency slots.

Out of Hours, Evenings, and Weekends

1. Call NHS 111 (or use 111.nhs.uk)
2. They can find emergency dental services in your area
3. You should be offered treatment within 24 hours for severe cases

What NHS 111 Can Help With

• Severe tooth or mouth pain not helped by painkillers
• Swelling in your mouth or face
• Bleeding after tooth extraction
• Broken or loose dental work

The Dental Access Crisis

Finding an NHS dentist can be challenging. Recent data highlights the scale of the problem:

• 52,000 patients visited A&E with dental abscesses in 2024
• 15,000 patients presented with tooth decay
• One clinician described their hospital as "like a battlefield" due to dental sepsis cases

"These cases are normally rare, and result from untreated infections leading to a dental abscess — a build-up of pus in the teeth or gums, which requires urgent treatment by a dentist and will not go away on its own." — British Dental Association, Dental Access Crisis

Good news: NHS England has committed to delivering 700,000 additional urgent dental care appointments in 2025/26.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a dental abscess heal on its own?

No. A dental abscess will never heal without professional treatment. The infection must be drained by a dentist. While antibiotics may help control the spread of infection, they cannot cure an abscess — drainage is essential.

Should I go to A&E for a dental abscess?

Only go to A&E if you have:

• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Severe facial swelling affecting your eyes
• Signs of sepsis (high fever, rapid heartbeat, confusion)
• Swelling in your neck

For other cases, contact NHS 111 or an emergency dentist.

How long does it take to recover from a dental abscess?

Initial pain and swelling should improve within 2-3 days of treatment. Full healing typically takes 1-2 weeks. If symptoms worsen after 4-6 days, contact your dentist as this may indicate an ongoing infection.

Can I take antibiotics instead of seeing a dentist?

No. Antibiotics alone cannot cure a dental abscess. The pus must be drained by a dentist. Antibiotics may be prescribed alongside drainage if the infection is severe or spreading, but they're not a substitute for proper dental treatment.

Is dental abscess treatment covered by the NHS?

Yes. Emergency dental treatment on the NHS costs £27.40 in England (as of April 2025). If you need further treatment like root canal, this falls under Band 2 (£75.30). Many people qualify for free NHS dental treatment — check the eligibility criteria above.

What happens if I leave a dental abscess untreated?

Untreated dental abscesses can lead to serious complications including:

• Spread of infection to the jaw, head, or neck
• Sepsis — a life-threatening response to infection
• Ludwig's angina — a severe infection under the tongue
• Loss of the affected tooth
• Dental cysts

Never ignore a dental abscess. Seek treatment as soon as possible.

Key Takeaways

1. Dental abscesses are serious and will not heal without professional treatment
2. Contact NHS 111 or your dentist immediately if you suspect an abscess
3. Go to A&E only if you have difficulty breathing, severe swelling, or signs of sepsis
4. NHS emergency treatment costs £27.40 in England — affordable and accessible
5. Check if you qualify for free treatment before your appointment
6. Don't rely on antibiotics alone — drainage by a dentist is essential

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