Last updated: April 2026. This guide covers dental abscess symptoms, when to seek emergency help, NHS and private treatment costs across the UK, and how to find urgent dental care. All information is sourced from the NHS, British Dental Association (BDA), and UK Government health data.
A dental abscess is a serious bacterial infection that collects as pus inside the teeth, gums, or surrounding bone. It will not go away on its own, and if left untreated it can lead to life-threatening complications including sepsis.
Yet despite the severity, tens of thousands of people end up in A&E each year because they cannot get timely dental treatment. According to British Dental Association analysis of NHS data, 52,000 patients visited A&E with dental abscesses in 2024 alone -- while overall A&E dental attendances rose 45% between 2019/20 and 2023/24.
This guide explains how to recognise the symptoms, what treatment involves, how much it costs on the NHS and privately, and what to do if you cannot get an appointment.
What Is a Dental Abscess?
A dental abscess is a collection of pus caused by a bacterial infection. There are two main types:
| Type | Where It Forms | Common Causes |
|---|---|---|
| Periapical abscess | At the tip of the tooth root | Untreated tooth decay reaching the pulp, cracked or broken teeth |
| Periodontal abscess | In the gum beside the tooth root | Advanced gum disease (periodontitis), trapped food debris |
A less common third type, a gingival abscess, is a superficial infection of the gum tissue itself, often caused by a foreign body such as a piece of food becoming lodged in the gum.
"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
What Causes a Dental Abscess?
The NHS identifies several causes and risk factors:
- Tooth decay (dental caries) -- bacteria from untreated decay reaching the dental pulp
- Gum disease (periodontal disease) -- allowing bacteria to access root surfaces
- Injuries to teeth -- cracked or chipped teeth that allow bacterial entry
- Impacted teeth -- teeth that have not fully erupted, commonly wisdom teeth
- Weakened immune system -- including from diabetes, steroid medication, or cancer treatment
Other risk factors include poor oral hygiene, a high-sugar diet, and smoking. Research from the 2023 Adult Oral Health Survey found that adults in the most deprived areas were significantly more likely to have urgent dental conditions, with 31% affected compared to 14% in least deprived areas.
Symptoms of a Dental Abscess
Recognising the symptoms early is crucial for getting prompt treatment. A dental abscess can develop over hours or days, and the pain typically gets worse over time.
Common Symptoms
The NHS lists the following symptoms:
- Intense, throbbing pain in the affected tooth or gum that may come on suddenly
- Pain that spreads to the ear, jaw, and neck on the same side
- Redness and swelling in the face or mouth
- Sensitivity to hot or cold food and drink
- A bad taste in the mouth or bad breath
- Difficulty opening the mouth and chewing food
- A swollen face or jaw
- A high temperature (fever)
- Difficulty sleeping due to pain
Important: Dental abscesses are usually painful, but not always. A chronic abscess may cause little or no pain while the infection continues to develop.
When to Call 999 -- This Is a Medical Emergency
A dental abscess can become life-threatening if the infection spreads beyond the tooth and gum. Call 999 or go to A&E immediately if you experience any of the following:
| Symptom | What It May Indicate |
|---|---|
| Difficulty breathing | Airway compromise from deep neck infection or Ludwig's angina |
| Difficulty swallowing | Infection spreading to the throat or neck |
| Rapidly spreading facial swelling | Deep space infection with potential airway risk |
| Swelling around the eye or eyelid | Orbital spread from an upper tooth abscess |
| Pain behind the eye or changes in vision | Orbital cellulitis |
| Confusion, slurred speech, or extreme fatigue | Possible sepsis |
| High fever with severe pain unresponsive to painkillers | Systemic infection |
"Severe odontogenic infections require urgent referral for admission to protect the airway, achieve surgical drainage, and receive IV antibiotics." -- NHS Scotland, Clinical Guidelines
What to Do If You Have a Dental Abscess
Steps to Take
- Contact your dentist immediately -- request an emergency or urgent appointment
- If you cannot reach your dentist, call NHS 111 -- they can direct you to an urgent dental care service
- Take painkillers -- paracetamol or ibuprofen as directed on the packet (not aspirin for under-16s)
- Eat soft foods and avoid very hot, cold, or sweet foods and drink
- Use a softer toothbrush on the affected area
These are comfort measures only. They do not treat the abscess. Professional treatment is still required urgently.
What NOT to Do
| Do Not | Why |
|---|---|
| Wait for it to heal on its own | A dental abscess will never resolve without professional treatment |
| Go to a GP surgery | GPs cannot provide dental treatment -- NHS.uk states this explicitly |
| Rely on painkillers instead of seeking treatment | Painkillers mask symptoms but the infection continues to spread |
| Take repeated courses of antibiotics without dental treatment | Antibiotics alone cannot cure an abscess -- drainage is essential |
| Try to drain the abscess yourself at home | Risk of spreading the infection deeper, incomplete drainage, and no sterile conditions |
| Smoke | Smoking worsens dental infections and slows healing |
How Dental Abscesses Are Treated
All current UK clinical guidance agrees on one critical point: the pus must be drained. Antibiotics can support treatment but cannot replace drainage.
Drainage
The dentist will numb the area with local anaesthetic and make a small incision to drain the pus. This provides immediate relief from pressure and pain.
Root Canal Treatment
If the tooth can be saved, the dentist will perform root canal treatment to remove the infected pulp from inside the tooth:
- The interior of the tooth is cleaned, shaped, and disinfected
- The tooth is filled and sealed
- A crown may be placed if significant structural damage has occurred
- Treatment typically requires 2 or more appointments, each lasting 1 to 2 hours
"Root canal treatment is needed when dental X-rays show that the pulp has been damaged by a bacterial infection." -- NHS, Root Canal Treatment
Tooth Extraction
If the tooth cannot be saved, it will be removed. This stops the infection at its source and allows the area to heal.
Antibiotics -- When and Why They Are Prescribed
Antibiotics are not a first-line treatment for a localised dental abscess. They are prescribed only when there are signs that the infection is spreading, such as:
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Spreading facial swelling (cellulitis)
- Fever, malaise, or other systemic symptoms
- The patient is at high risk of complications
When antibiotics are needed, UK dental prescribing guidance recommends:
| Antibiotic | Dose | When Used |
|---|---|---|
| Amoxicillin | 500 mg three times daily | First-line treatment, up to 5 days |
| Metronidazole | 400 mg three times daily | Added for spreading infection |
| Clarithromycin | 500 mg twice daily | For penicillin-allergic patients |
Why not just take antibiotics? Antibiotics cannot penetrate into a pocket of pus to clear it. Without drainage, the infection typically returns once the course ends. The UK Government's antimicrobial stewardship programme warns that unnecessary antibiotic prescribing contributes to antimicrobial resistance -- a growing global health threat.
Dental Abscess Treatment Costs
NHS Treatment Costs -- England (from 1 April 2026)
In England, NHS dental treatment is charged in bands. You pay only one charge per complete course of treatment, even if it requires multiple appointments.
| Treatment Scenario | NHS Band | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency visit to drain abscess and provide temporary relief | Urgent | £27.90 |
| Root canal treatment (full course) | Band 2 | £76.60 |
| Tooth extraction (full course) | Band 2 | £76.60 |
| Root canal plus crown | Band 3 | £332.10 |
If further treatment at the same band or lower is needed within 2 months of the original course completing, no additional charge applies.
Who Gets Free NHS Dental Treatment in England?
You will not pay anything for NHS dental treatment if you are:
- Under 18, or under 19 and in full-time education
- Pregnant, or gave birth within the past 12 months
- Receiving Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, or income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- On Universal Credit
- Receiving Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit)
- An NHS Low Income Scheme HC2 certificate holder
- In prison or a young offender institution
NHS Costs in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
NHS dental charges vary across the UK:
| Nation | Emergency / Urgent Care Cost | Root Canal Cost | Maximum Charge |
|---|---|---|---|
| England | £27.90 (urgent band) | £76.60 (Band 2) | £332.10 (Band 3) |
| Wales | £37.50 (urgent care) | £91.18--£182.72 (depends on tooth) | £384 per course |
| Scotland | 80% of dentist's fee | 80% of dentist's fee | £384 cap |
| Northern Ireland | 80% of dentist's fee | 80% of dentist's fee | £384 cap |
Free NHS dental examinations in Scotland are available to everyone. In Wales, free examinations are available to under-25s and those aged 60 and over.
Private Treatment Costs
Private dental fees are set by individual practices and vary by location. The following are approximate ranges for 2026:
| Treatment | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Emergency consultation (standard hours) | £75--£150 |
| Emergency consultation (out of hours / same day) | £150--£350 |
| Abscess drainage | £150--£400 |
| Root canal (front teeth) | £300--£500 |
| Root canal (back teeth) | £400--£950+ |
| Tooth extraction (simple) | £95--£250 |
| Tooth extraction (surgical) | £200--£500+ |
| Crown after root canal | £300--£800+ |
London premium: Practices in Central London typically charge at the higher end of these ranges or above.
What Happens If a Dental Abscess Is Left Untreated
A dental abscess will not heal on its own. Without treatment, the infection can spread to surrounding tissue, bone, and the bloodstream. Possible complications include:
Ludwig's angina -- a serious infection of the floor of the mouth causing massive swelling of the tongue and neck. It can rapidly obstruct the airway and requires immediate hospital admission for IV antibiotics and surgical drainage.
Sepsis -- the body's life-threatening response to infection. The NHS lists the emergency signs of sepsis as acting confused or having slurred speech, blue or grey skin, a rash that does not fade when pressed, and difficulty breathing. Sepsis requires an immediate 999 call.
Other serious complications include descending mediastinitis (infection spreading into the chest cavity), orbital cellulitis (infection of the eye socket from an upper tooth abscess), and -- in extremely rare cases -- brain abscess.
The British Dental Association has documented cases of patients dying from dental abscesses that progressed to sepsis, often linked to inability to access NHS dental care in time.
Dental Abscess and the NHS Access Crisis
Getting an urgent dental appointment is not always straightforward. The 2023 Adult Oral Health Survey found that regular dental attendance dropped from 61% to 52% between 2009 and 2023, with 40% of those who do not attend regularly citing inability to find an NHS dentist as the reason.
If you are struggling to get an appointment:
- Call NHS 111 -- they maintain a directory of urgent dental services in your area
- Try NHS.uk's service finder to locate emergency dental practices nearby
- Contact your local Integrated Care Board (ICB) -- they have a legal obligation to commission urgent dental services
- Visit a dental school -- teaching hospitals often provide emergency treatment at reduced cost
Healthwatch England reports that NHS 111 dental enquiries rose approximately 20% between July and September 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, reflecting the growing pressure on urgent dental services.
How to Prevent a Dental Abscess
Prevention centres on good oral hygiene and regular dental care. The NHS recommends:
- Brush teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste -- spit, do not rinse
- Clean between teeth daily with floss or interdental brushes
- Replace your toothbrush every 1 to 3 months
- Attend regular dental check-ups -- do not wait for symptoms
- Avoid sugary food and drink especially between meals
- Do not use mouthwash immediately after brushing (it washes away the fluoride)
- Do not smoke -- smoking significantly increases your risk of gum disease
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a dental abscess go away on its own?
No. A dental abscess is a bacterial infection that requires professional treatment. It will not resolve without drainage by a dentist. Delaying treatment allows the infection to spread and increases the risk of serious complications.
Should I go to A&E for a dental abscess?
Only if you have emergency symptoms such as difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, rapidly spreading facial swelling, or signs of sepsis. For a dental abscess without these symptoms, contact your dentist or call NHS 111 to find an urgent dental service. A&E departments generally cannot provide dental treatment.
Can a GP treat a dental abscess?
No. The NHS states that GP surgeries cannot provide dental treatment. A GP may prescribe antibiotics in an emergency to manage spreading infection, but this does not replace dental treatment. You need to see a dentist for drainage and definitive care.
How long does dental abscess treatment take?
An emergency drainage appointment typically takes 30 to 60 minutes and provides immediate relief. If root canal treatment is needed, it usually requires 2 or more appointments over several weeks, with each session lasting 1 to 2 hours. Recovery from the procedure itself is usually 1 to 2 weeks.
Will antibiotics cure a dental abscess?
No. Antibiotics cannot penetrate a collection of pus. They can reduce the spread of infection in surrounding tissue, but the abscess will return if the pus is not drained. Current UK clinical guidance is clear: drainage is the definitive treatment, and antibiotics should only supplement it when there are signs of spreading infection.
How much does it cost to treat a dental abscess on the NHS?
In England, an urgent NHS dental appointment costs £27.90. If root canal treatment or extraction is needed, it falls under Band 2 at £76.60. If a crown is also required, it is Band 3 at £332.10. Many patients qualify for free NHS dental treatment.
Can I get a dental abscess treated for free?
Yes, if you are under 18, pregnant or a new mother, receiving certain benefits including Universal Credit, or hold an HC2 certificate through the NHS Low Income Scheme. In Scotland, dental examinations are free for everyone, and all NHS dental treatment is free for under-26s and over-60s.
Key Takeaways
- A dental abscess is a serious infection that always requires professional dental treatment
- Call 999 if you have difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, or rapidly spreading facial swelling
- Treatment involves draining the pus -- antibiotics alone are not sufficient
- NHS urgent treatment costs £27.90 in England (from April 2026), and many people qualify for free care
- Contact your dentist or call NHS 111 to find emergency dental services near you
- Do not delay -- untreated abscesses can lead to life-threatening complications including sepsis
If you are experiencing symptoms of a dental abscess, contact a dentist today or call NHS 111 for urgent dental advice. The sooner you receive treatment, the simpler and less costly it is likely to be.
