Dental Abscess Treatment in London
A dental abscess is a localised collection of pus caused by a bacterial infection, usually arising from a tooth with an infected nerve or from severe gum disease. Typical signs include severe throbbing pain, a bad taste, a tender lump on the gum that may be discharging, fever, and sometimes facial swelling. Antibiotics alone do not cure a dental abscess — the source (the infected tooth or gum) must be treated.
Flat £30 emergency assessment fee for everyone. X-rays (£20/image, £10 for members) and onward treatment quoted separately in writing before treatment.
What to Do Right Now
- →Take ibuprofen and/or paracetamol at the recommended dose.
- →Rinse with warm salt water several times a day.
- →Do NOT apply heat to the face — this can worsen the spread of infection. Cold compresses are safer.
- →Stay hydrated and rest.
- →Book an emergency dental appointment the same day. Antibiotics alone are not a cure — the source needs treating.
Call 999 or go to A&E
Call 999 or go to A&E immediately if there is rapidly spreading facial swelling, swelling closing the eye, difficulty breathing or swallowing, fever with feeling severely unwell, or swelling extending down into the neck or up to the eye. These can be signs of a serious infection (Ludwig’s angina, cavernous sinus involvement) requiring hospital care.
How We Treat Dental Abscess Treatment
Treatment options include drainage of the abscess (which provides rapid pain relief), root canal treatment to remove the infection from inside the tooth, or extraction of the tooth if it cannot be saved. Antibiotics are only prescribed if there is spreading infection, systemic illness, or where definitive treatment must be delayed — they are not a substitute for treating the source.
Cost & what is included
Emergency assessment is a flat £30 for everyone — this includes the clinical examination and pain triage. X-rays (charged at £20 per image, £10 for members) and any onward treatment are quoted separately and confirmed in writing before treatment goes ahead. We will explain options and prognosis honestly; you are free to take time to decide or to seek a second opinion.
Common Causes
Understanding what has caused the problem helps you take the right next step — and helps us choose the right treatment. The most frequent reasons we see in clinic are:
- •Untreated tooth decay that has reached the nerve.
- •A cracked tooth allowing bacteria into the pulp.
- •Failed or leaking previous root canal treatment.
- •Severe gum disease (periodontal abscess).
- •Trauma that has killed the nerve of a tooth (sometimes years earlier).
Treatment Costs — Guide Prices
All prices below are guide prices for treatments most commonly needed for this kind of emergency. Your written treatment plan after the assessment will confirm the exact figure for your situation, before any treatment goes ahead. SPMD Dental Membership typically saves 50% on most dental treatments (terms apply).
| Treatment | Standard price | Member price |
|---|---|---|
Emergency dental assessment Flat £30 for everyone — examination + pain triage. | £30 | £30 |
Dental X-ray (per image) Only charged if clinically required. | £20 | £10 |
Abscess drainage (incision) Where a localised abscess can be drained. | from £150 | from £75 |
Root canal — molar Crown usually recommended afterwards. | from £895 | from £447.50 |
Tooth extraction (complicated) Where the tooth is broken down or has curved roots. | from £450 | from £225 |
Emergency assessment is a flat £30 for everyone (this is the standard rate — the membership discount does not apply to the assessment itself). Multi-visit treatments (e.g. root canal + crown) are quoted together so you can see the full cost up front. We never start treatment without your written agreement.
After Your Appointment
You will leave with written aftercare specific to your treatment. As a general guide, the following points apply to most patients seen for this kind of emergency:
- ✓Complete any prescribed course of antibiotics as directed — do not stop early.
- ✓Warm salt-water rinses 3–4 times daily for 5–7 days after drainage.
- ✓Soft, cool foods for 24–48 hours; avoid heat on the face.
- ✓Pain and swelling usually improve within 48–72 hours of definitive treatment.
- ✓Attend your follow-up — the source tooth still needs definitive treatment (root canal or extraction) even after antibiotics.
If anything worries you between appointments, phone the clinic — we would much rather hear from you early than late.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will antibiotics cure my dental abscess?
No. UK guidance (NICE, FGDP, BNF) is clear that antibiotics do not cure dental infections — they can only temporarily slow them. The infected tooth or gum still needs definitive treatment (drainage, root canal, gum treatment or extraction). Inappropriate antibiotic use contributes to antibiotic resistance.
How quickly can a dental abscess become dangerous?
Most stay localised. However, infection can spread rapidly — within hours in some cases — to the face, neck or beyond. Rapidly increasing swelling, fever, difficulty swallowing or breathing are red flags requiring urgent hospital assessment via 999 or A&E.
Can I drain the abscess at home?
No. Do not try to pierce or squeeze the swelling. This can push infection further into surrounding tissues. Warm salt-water rinses can help if a small drainage point has formed naturally.
Should I apply heat or cold?
Cold compresses (15 minutes on, 15 minutes off) are safer. Heat can encourage the infection to spread.
What does abscess treatment cost?
A flat £30 emergency assessment fee applies. Drainage, root canal treatment or extraction are quoted separately in writing before treatment starts. Antibiotics, if prescribed, are obtained via a separate pharmacy charge.
Other Dental Emergencies
Looking for help with something else? See our other emergency dentist pages:
Need to be seen now?
Call the clinic nearest to you. Same-day emergency appointments are subject to clinical availability — we will give you the soonest realistic slot. Out of hours, NHS 111 can also help.
SPMD Medical & Dental is regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and our clinicians are registered with the General Dental Council (GDC). If at any point you are unhappy with your care, we welcome your feedback. Our complaints procedure is published on our website and a copy is available on request.
