Swollen Face from Tooth Infection — London
Facial swelling from a tooth infection always needs prompt assessment. Most cases settle with definitive dental treatment (drainage, root canal or extraction) and sometimes antibiotics. However, certain swellings are medical emergencies and need hospital care before, or alongside, dental treatment.
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 recommended doses.
- →Apply a cold compress to the swollen area (15 minutes on, 15 minutes off). Do NOT use heat.
- →Stay hydrated. Soft, cool foods only.
- →Do not try to pierce or squeeze the swelling.
- →Call us or attend the clinic the same day. If any red-flag symptoms appear, go straight to A&E.
Call 999 or go to A&E
Call 999 or go to A&E immediately if any of the following are present: difficulty breathing or swallowing, swelling closing the eye or extending down the neck, severely raised temperature with feeling very unwell, inability to open the mouth, voice changes, drooling. These can be signs of life-threatening infections (Ludwig’s angina, cavernous sinus thrombosis, deep neck space infection).
How We Treat Swollen Face from Tooth Infection
On arrival, we will assess the source of the infection, take an X-ray if needed, and treat the cause — usually drainage, root canal treatment or extraction of the offending tooth. Antibiotics are only prescribed when clinically indicated (spreading infection, systemic illness, or where definitive treatment must be delayed) in line with NICE and FGDP guidance.
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:
- •Spreading infection from an untreated dental abscess.
- •Severe pericoronitis around an erupting wisdom tooth.
- •Post-extraction infection (uncommon but possible).
- •Severe periodontal (gum) infection.
- •Salivary gland infection (can mimic dental swelling — assessment is essential).
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 (surgical) Where soft-tissue or bone work is needed. | from £650 | from £325 |
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:
- ✓Cold compress (15 minutes on, 15 minutes off) for the first 24 hours after drainage.
- ✓Complete any prescribed antibiotic course in full.
- ✓Stay hydrated; soft cool foods for 48 hours.
- ✓Sleep slightly propped up to help swelling subside.
- ✓Return urgently if swelling extends, breathing/swallowing becomes difficult, or fever returns.
If anything worries you between appointments, phone the clinic — we would much rather hear from you early than late.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does facial swelling become an emergency?
Any difficulty breathing or swallowing, eye-closing swelling, neck swelling, voice changes, drooling, inability to open the mouth, or feeling severely unwell with fever — these are 999/A&E situations.
Will antibiotics on their own fix the swelling?
No. Antibiotics may temporarily reduce swelling but the source — the infected tooth — still needs definitive treatment. Relying on antibiotics alone risks recurrence and contributes to antibiotic resistance.
Why is heat not recommended?
Heat can promote spread of infection through the soft tissues. Cold compresses are safer.
How long will the swelling take to settle?
After definitive treatment, most swelling improves within 48–72 hours. Persistent or worsening swelling needs further assessment.
Can my dentist refer me to hospital?
Yes. If your case needs hospital input (for example, deep-space infection or significant swelling), we can liaise directly with the local maxillofacial team.
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.
