Category: Dental Advice

A dental abscess is a collection of pus caused by infection in a tooth or gum. It does not normally resolve without dental treatment. Prompt assessment matters because infection can spread beyond the original tooth.

Quick answer: Dental symptoms cannot be diagnosed reliably online. If pain, swelling or damage is significant, call a dentist for individual advice.

Symptoms to look out for

Possible signs include intense toothache or gum pain, a bad taste, redness, tenderness when biting, sensitivity to temperature, facial or jaw swelling, swollen neck glands, fever, or difficulty opening the mouth. Symptoms vary, so absence of severe pain does not rule out infection.

What treatment may involve

A dentist identifies the source and relieves pressure by draining the infection where appropriate. Depending on the tooth, treatment may include root canal treatment, gum treatment or extraction. Local anaesthetic is normally used. Antibiotics may be prescribed when there are signs of spreading infection or systemic illness, but they do not remove the dental cause.

What to do while waiting

Ask a pharmacist about suitable pain relief and follow the label. Choose soft food, avoid extremes of temperature and clean gently with a soft toothbrush. Do not exceed recommended doses and do not try to burst or drain a swelling yourself.

When it becomes an emergency

Call 999 or go to A&E if you are finding it hard to breathe, speak or swallow, have a large amount of swelling, swelling near the eye or changes to vision, or cannot open your mouth properly. Otherwise, contact a dentist urgently or use NHS 111 if you cannot access urgent dental care.

Frequently asked questions

Can a dental abscess go away with antibiotics alone?

Antibiotics may help selected cases, but the source usually needs dental treatment. Symptoms can return if the tooth or gum problem is not addressed.

Should I see a GP?

A GP cannot provide dental treatment. Contact a dentist; use NHS 111 when urgent care is unavailable.

Appointments at The Grove Dental Care

The Grove Dental Care is at 45 The Grove, Palmers Green, London N13 5LD. We welcome new private patients. Book a private appointment online or call 020 8882 8887.

We are accepting a limited number of new NHS patients at the time of writing. NHS appointments cannot be booked online; please call the practice to ask about current NHS availability.

This article provides general information and is not a diagnosis. Advice may change, so use the linked official guidance and contact a dental professional about your circumstances.

Source: NHS dental abscess guidance.

Toothache can feel more intense at night because there are fewer distractions and lying down may increase pressure around an inflamed tooth. Pain is a symptom rather than a diagnosis, so even if it settles temporarily, the underlying cause may still need treatment.

Quick answer: Dental symptoms cannot be diagnosed reliably online. If pain, swelling or damage is significant, call a dentist for individual advice.

Common causes of night-time toothache

Possible causes include tooth decay, a cracked tooth, an inflamed or infected dental nerve, gum infection, food trapped between teeth, a loose filling or teeth grinding. Pain that is triggered by hot, cold or biting gives the dentist useful clues, but an examination and sometimes an X-ray are needed to confirm the cause.

What you can do tonight

Use pain relief only if it is suitable for you and follow the packet instructions; a pharmacist can advise. Eat soft foods, avoid very hot, cold or sugary items, and try not to chew on the painful side. Gently clean the area. Children under 16 should not take aspirin, and aspirin should never be placed directly against a tooth or gum.

When to contact a dentist

Arrange an assessment if pain lasts more than two days, keeps returning, wakes you repeatedly, is not controlled by appropriate pain relief, or comes with pain on biting, a bad taste, fever or swelling. Earlier assessment usually gives more treatment choices.

Emergency warning signs

Go to A&E or call 999 if swelling around the mouth or neck affects breathing, swallowing or speaking, or if swelling extends towards the eye. If you need urgent dental help outside normal hours and cannot contact a dentist, use NHS 111.

Frequently asked questions

Will antibiotics cure toothache?

Not usually. Many toothaches need dental treatment to remove decay, repair a crack, treat the nerve or address gum disease. Antibiotics are used only for particular infections.

Can toothache disappear on its own?

Symptoms can fade when a dental nerve changes or pressure reduces, but the cause may remain. A dentist should assess persistent or recurring pain.

Appointments at The Grove Dental Care

The Grove Dental Care is at 45 The Grove, Palmers Green, London N13 5LD. We welcome new private patients. Book a private appointment online or call 020 8882 8887.

We are accepting a limited number of new NHS patients at the time of writing. NHS appointments cannot be booked online; please call the practice to ask about current NHS availability.

This article provides general information and is not a diagnosis. Advice may change, so use the linked official guidance and contact a dental professional about your circumstances.

Source: NHS toothache guidance.

Dental problems do not always arrive at a convenient time. Severe pain, swelling or an injury can make it difficult to know whether you need an urgent dental appointment, NHS 111 or hospital care. The right route depends on the symptoms and how quickly they are changing.

Quick answer: Dental symptoms cannot be diagnosed reliably online. If pain, swelling or damage is significant, call a dentist for individual advice.

What usually needs urgent dental care

Contact a dentist promptly if you have severe pain that is not controlled by suitable pain relief, a swelling or infection that is spreading, significant bleeding, a badly broken tooth, or trauma that affects eating or speaking. A lost filling, loose crown or moderate pain may still need attention soon, even if it is not life-threatening.

When to call 999 or go to A&E

Call 999 or go to A&E for serious facial injury, uncontrolled bleeding, or swelling affecting your breathing, swallowing, eyesight or ability to speak. These symptoms can indicate a medical emergency. Do not wait for a routine dental appointment.

What to do while you wait

Call the practice first so the dental team can ask about pain, swelling, temperature, trauma and relevant health conditions. Follow the label on any pain medicine and ask a pharmacist if you are unsure what is safe for you. Avoid placing aspirin or other medicines directly on the gum, as this can damage tissue.

What an urgent appointment may involve

The priority is to diagnose the cause, control pain and prevent deterioration. Treatment may include a temporary repair, drainage, starting root canal treatment, extraction or referral. Antibiotics are not a substitute for dental treatment and are prescribed only when clinically appropriate.

Frequently asked questions

Can I walk in without calling?

Please call first. Telephone triage helps the team decide how urgently you need to be seen and which service is appropriate.

What if the practice is closed?

Use the information on the practice answerphone. If you cannot reach a dentist and need urgent help, contact NHS 111 online or by phone.

Appointments at The Grove Dental Care

The Grove Dental Care is at 45 The Grove, Palmers Green, London N13 5LD. We welcome new private patients. Book a private appointment online or call 020 8882 8887.

We are accepting a limited number of new NHS patients at the time of writing. NHS appointments cannot be booked online; please call the practice to ask about current NHS availability.

This article provides general information and is not a diagnosis. Advice may change, so use the linked official guidance and contact a dental professional about your circumstances.

Source: NHS England urgent dental care guidance.