A dental abscess is a collection of pus caused by an infection in or around a tooth or the gums. It can cause throbbing toothache, swelling, tenderness when you bite and an unpleasant taste in the mouth, although symptoms vary from person to person and only an examination can confirm the cause. If you suspect a dental abscess in Bromley, seek prompt dental assessment rather than relying on home remedies, because an infection can spread. Bromley Smiles Dental can talk through your symptoms over the phone and help you understand the next steps.
Quick answer: A suspected dental abscess needs prompt assessment by a dentist, because the infection will not clear up by itself and can spread. Pain relief may ease discomfort for a while, but it does not treat the source. Treatment depends on the cause and may include drainage, root canal treatment or extraction.
Seek emergency medical help: If you have swelling that is spreading rapidly across your face or neck, or you have difficulty breathing or swallowing, call 999 or go to A&E immediately. Do not wait for a dental appointment.
What Is a Dental Abscess?
An abscess forms when bacteria get into the tooth or the surrounding tissues and the body responds by gathering pus around the infection. Dentists see two main types.
Tooth abscess
A tooth abscess develops around the root of a tooth. It can follow deep decay, a crack or other damage, or a problem inside the tooth that allows bacteria to reach the nerve and the tissues around the root. The tooth often feels painful, especially when you bite.
Gum abscess
A gum abscess develops in the gum tissues rather than at the root. You might notice a swollen, tender area of gum beside a tooth. A dentist needs to examine the area, because other problems can also cause swollen gums and the treatment differs.
What Are the Symptoms of a Dental Abscess?
Symptoms can include:
- Persistent, throbbing or severe toothache
- Pain or tenderness when biting or chewing
- A swollen area of gum near a tooth, sometimes called a swollen gum around a tooth
- Swelling of the face or jaw
- Sensitivity to hot or cold food and drink
- An unpleasant taste in the mouth, or discharge
- Fever or feeling generally unwell
- Difficulty opening the mouth, which needs prompt attention
Not everyone has all of these symptoms. A lack of severe pain does not rule out infection, and some abscesses cause very little pain at times. If you notice any of the signs above, it is sensible to have the area checked.
Concerned about a possible dental abscess?
Do not wait for symptoms to become more severe. Call Bromley Smiles Dental on 0203 376 3734 to discuss your symptoms and ask about urgent appointment availability.
Book your appointment online
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. Appointments subject to availability.
Is a Dental Abscess an Emergency?
A suspected abscess needs prompt dental assessment, because infection can spread beyond the tooth. How quickly and where you seek help depends on your symptoms.
| What you notice | What to do |
| Swelling in one area of the gum or beside a tooth | Contact a dentist promptly for assessment |
| Increasing pain, fever or feeling unwell | Seek urgent dental advice |
| Rapidly spreading swelling of the face or neck | Seek emergency medical attention |
| Difficulty breathing or swallowing | Call 999 or go to A&E immediately |
Seek emergency medical help: Call 999 or go to A&E if swelling is spreading quickly, or if you have trouble breathing or swallowing. These are not situations for a routine dental booking.
You cannot reliably tell from symptoms alone how serious an infection is, so it is better to ask for advice early. If you would like to read about how emergency care works more generally, see our page on the emergency dentist in Bromley.
What Causes a Dental Abscess?
Untreated tooth decay
Decay starts on the outside of the tooth. If it is not treated, bacteria can work their way deeper, reaching the inner part of the tooth and eventually the tissues around the root, where infection can develop. Pain from decay is covered in more detail in our guide to severe toothache in Bromley.
A cracked or damaged tooth
A crack or break can give bacteria a way into the inner structures of a tooth, even when the damage looks small. If you have chipped or broken a tooth, our guide to a broken tooth explains what to do and when to seek help.
Gum disease
Gum problems can lead to infection in the tissues that support the teeth. Persistent gum swelling, bleeding or bad breath is worth having checked, and the practice offers periodontics and gum care for people who need it.
Problems following dental treatment
New or persistent symptoms after dental work need assessment rather than guesswork. Pain, swelling or an unpleasant taste can have several causes, and the only way to find out which applies is to be examined. Contact the practice that carried out the treatment.
What Should You Do If You Have a Dental Abscess?
While you arrange to be seen, these steps are generally safe:
- Contact a dentist promptly.
- Do not squeeze the swelling or try to drain it yourself. This can spread infection or make things worse.
- Keep your mouth clean and brush gently where it is comfortable to do so.
- Choose foods that do not aggravate the area, such as softer foods that do not need much chewing on the affected side.
- Follow the label on any suitable over-the-counter pain relief. If you are unsure what is right for you, ask a pharmacist.
- Do not take leftover antibiotics, and do not try to treat the infection with medication without professional advice.
Pain relief alone does not necessarily deal with the source of the infection. It can hide how things are progressing, so it should not replace a dental assessment.
How Is a Dental Abscess Treated?
Treatment depends on what the dentist finds and which tooth is affected. The aim is to deal with the source of the infection.
Examination and X-rays
The dentist will look at the tooth and surrounding tissues, ask about your symptoms and may take an X-ray if clinically indicated. This helps show where the infection is coming from and whether the tooth can be saved.
Drainage of the abscess
Where appropriate, a dentist may drain the pus as part of treatment. This is done in a clinical setting, which is different from trying to drain it yourself at home.
Root canal treatment
If the infection starts inside a tooth that can be saved, root canal treatment may be recommended. This involves cleaning out the infected inner part of the tooth, then sealing it.
Tooth extraction
If a tooth cannot be restored, extraction may be considered. The practice offers routine and surgical extractions, and your dentist will explain which is suitable.
Are antibiotics always needed?
No. Antibiotics are not a substitute for appropriate dental treatment, and they are not needed for every dental abscess. A clinician decides whether they are indicated, particularly when there are signs of spreading infection or when you feel generally unwell.
Whether treatment can be completed in a single visit depends on the case, so it is best not to assume it will be.
How Much Does Dental Abscess Treatment Cost in Bromley?
These are starting prices from the practice fee list:
| Item | Starting price |
| Emergency dental appointment | from £85 |
| Abscess treatment | from £125 |
These are separate starting prices, not a total cost. Your examination, any X-ray and any further treatment, such as root canal treatment (from £495) or an extraction (from £200, or from £350 for a complex or surgical extraction), are charged separately and may cost more. The final cost depends on what the dentist finds and which treatment you need.
You can see the full list of prices in the fee guide. Your dentist can explain costs once you have been examined.
Can a Dental Abscess Go Away on Its Own?
Symptoms of an abscess can come and go. Sometimes an abscess bursts and discharges, which may bring sudden relief from pain and leave a salty or unpleasant taste. That does not mean the infection has gone. The cause is usually still there, and the infection can return or spread.
If pain suddenly improves, do not assume the problem has resolved. You should still seek a dental assessment.
How to Get Urgent Dental Care in Bromley
Bromley Smiles Dental is on the 1st floor, 146 High Street, Bromley, Kent, BR1 1EZ, and welcomes patients from Sundridge, Plaistow and the wider area. To arrange an assessment:
- Call 0203 376 3734 during opening hours, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
- Describe your symptoms, including any swelling, fever or recent dental treatment.
- Ask about appointment availability before you travel.
- Use the online appointment portal if you prefer.
The practice is closed on Saturday, Sunday and bank holidays. If you need urgent advice when the practice is closed, NHS 111 online can help. If you have life-threatening symptoms, such as difficulty breathing or swallowing, call 999 or go to A&E.
Get your symptoms checked
Call Bromley Smiles Dental on 0203 376 3734
Book your appointment online
1st floor, 146 High Street, Bromley, Kent, BR1 1EZ
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. Closed Saturday, Sunday and bank holidays. Appointments subject to availability.
Conclusion
A dental abscess is an infection that needs professional treatment. Pain relief and home care can help you cope for a short time, but they do not remove the source. If you notice gum swelling, throbbing tooth pain, tenderness when biting or an unpleasant taste, ask for advice early, and call 999 or go to A&E if swelling spreads quickly or you struggle to breathe or swallow. If you are in Bromley, Downham or the surrounding area, Bromley Smiles Dental can discuss your symptoms and check what appointments are available.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Abscesses
Early signs can include a toothache that keeps coming back, tenderness when you bite, sensitivity to hot or cold, and a tender area of gum. Some people also notice an unpleasant taste. Symptoms vary, and only an examination can confirm what is causing them.
Yes, an abscess can sometimes cause swelling of the face or jaw. Contact a dentist promptly if you notice this. If swelling is spreading quickly across your face or neck, or you have trouble breathing or swallowing, call 999 or go to A&E.
A suspected abscess should be assessed as soon as you can arrange it, because infection can spread. Do not wait for the pain to become unbearable. Call the practice, explain your symptoms and ask what appointments are available.
Antibiotics are not a substitute for dental treatment, and they are not needed in every case. Treatment usually has to deal with the source of the infection, for example by draining it, treating the tooth or removing it. A clinician decides whether antibiotics are suitable. Never use leftover antibiotics.
Abscess treatment at Bromley Smiles Dental starts from £125, and an emergency appointment starts from £85. These are separate starting prices and are not a total, because further investigations or treatment may be needed. The fee guide has the full list.
Bromley Smiles Dental is open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, and closed at weekends and on bank holidays. Outside these hours, NHS 111 online can give urgent advice. If swelling is spreading quickly, or you have difficulty breathing or swallowing, call 999 or go to A&E.
