1
Drain the infection
A small incision releases the pus and gives fast relief. Antibiotics are prescribed if the infection has spread.
Same-day dentists available
Tooth Abscess: Symptoms, Emergency Treatment and What To Do Tonight
An abscess is a pocket of pus from a bacterial infection at the root of a tooth or in the gum. It will not go away by itself, but it is treatable the same day.
1-855-219-4656 Is a tooth abscess an emergency?
Yes. Call 1-855-219-4656 for a same-day dentist. Untreated, the infection can spread to the jaw and neck within days. If you already have swelling reaching your eye or throat, difficulty swallowing, or a high fever, go to the nearest emergency room first. That is a medical emergency, not just a dental one.
An abscess does not follow office hours. The pressure builds through the evening, the face swells overnight, and by morning chewing is impossible. The good news is that draining it brings relief within minutes, and every partner dentist can do it on the day you call.
How to recognise an abscess
- Deep, throbbing pain that may radiate to the ear or jaw and is worse lying down
- A pimple-like bump on the gum, sometimes leaking pus with a foul taste
- Swelling of the gum, cheek or face. The tooth may feel taller and hurt to bite
- Sensitivity to hot and cold that lingers
- Fever and swollen lymph nodes under the jaw, feeling generally unwell
There are two types. A periapical abscess starts inside a dead tooth nerve, usually from decay or a crack. A periodontal abscess starts in a deep gum pocket. The dentist's X-ray tells them apart and decides the treatment.
What to do tonight, before you are seen
| Do | Don't |
|---|---|
| Rinse with warm salt water (half a teaspoon in a cup) every 2 to 3 hours | Do not squeeze or lance the bump yourself |
| Take ibuprofen and acetaminophen together, as the labels allow | Do not put aspirin against the gum. It burns the tissue |
| Cold compress on the cheek, 15 minutes on and 15 off | Do not apply heat to the face. It spreads the swelling |
| Sleep propped up to reduce throbbing | Do not wait for the pain to pass if you have fever or facial swelling |
How the dentist treats it
2
Treat the cause
Either a root canal to save the tooth, or an extraction if it cannot be saved. For gum abscesses, deep cleaning of the pocket.
3
Follow-up
A permanent crown or filling within a few weeks, and a check that the infection has fully cleared.
Cost of emergency abscess treatment
| Treatment | Without insurance |
|---|---|
| Emergency exam + X-ray | $100–$250 |
| Incision and drainage + antibiotics | $200–$500 |
| Root canal (to save the tooth) | $700–$1,500 |
| Extraction (if the tooth cannot be saved) | $150–$400 |
Estimates from partner clinic fee schedules. Your dentist quotes the exact fee before treatment. See the emergency dental cost guide and the no-insurance guide.
Treatments and related guides
Treatments a dentist may use: Abscess drainage and antibiotics, Emergency root canal, Emergency tooth extraction.
Tooth Abscess FAQ
Need help right now? Call 1-855-219-4656, free, 24 hours a day.
Is a tooth abscess an emergency?
Yes. An abscess is a bacterial infection that does not heal on its own and can spread to the jaw, neck or bloodstream. It should be seen by a dentist within 24 hours, and the same day if there is swelling or fever.
Can antibiotics alone cure an abscess?
No. Antibiotics reduce the infection temporarily, but the source, the dead nerve or the gum pocket, must be treated with a root canal, drainage or extraction, or the abscess returns.
What can I do for abscess pain tonight?
Rinse with warm salt water every few hours, take ibuprofen and acetaminophen together as labeled, hold a cold compress on the cheek, and sleep with your head raised. Do not press on it or try to pop it.
When should I go to the ER instead of a dentist?
If swelling spreads to your eye, under your jaw or into your neck, if you have trouble swallowing or breathing, or a fever above 101°F with facial swelling, go to the ER now. Otherwise an emergency dentist is the right place.
How much does abscess treatment cost?
Drainage and antibiotics: $200 to $500. If the tooth is saved with a root canal: $700 to $1,500. Extraction instead: $150 to $400. Exam and X-ray are extra.
Medically reviewed by Dr. FULL NAME, DDS. Last reviewed . Sources: Mayo Clinic, Tooth abscess, ADA MouthHealthy, Abscess. Editorial policy.
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