Dental abscess: what to do before you can see a dentist

If you think you have a dental abscess, contact a dentist or doctor urgently. A swollen gum or face, throbbing toothache or a pimple-like bump near a tooth needs assessment—not a wait to see whether it settles. An abscess will not go away on its own. [1] [3]

Get emergency medical care if swelling causes breathing or speaking problems, or you have swelling around your eye or neck. Do not wait for a dental booking with these symptoms. [2]

If you are in Darch or nearby, call (08) 9303 9770 and tell our team you may have an abscess. Our dental abscess service page explains the care available at Darch Dental Centre. Ask about appointment availability; the steps below are only for while you arrange urgent assessment.

• A suspected abscess needs urgent dental or medical assessment, even if the pain eases. [1] [5]
• Breathing or speaking problems, or swelling around the eye or neck, need emergency medical care. [2]
• A wrapped cold compress, easy-to-chew food and advice from a pharmacist about pain relief may help while you arrange care; they do not treat the underlying abscess. [2] [1]
• The dentist may recommend drainage, root canal treatment, extraction or gum treatment, depending on the cause. Antibiotics alone are not enough. [1]

It could be, but symptoms alone cannot confirm the cause. A dental abscess is a collection of pus from an infection in or around a tooth. Possible symptoms include throbbing or sharp toothache, pain when biting, hot or cold sensitivity, swollen gums or cheeks, a bad taste and fever. [1]

A pimple-like bump near a tooth can also be a sign of a root canal infection. Do not dismiss a small bump because it looks less dramatic than facial swelling. Arrange an assessment rather than trying to identify or treat it yourself. [3]

Other problems can cause toothache and gum swelling too, including a cracked tooth or gum disease. The dentist will examine your mouth and ask about your symptoms to work out what is happening. [2]

Seek emergency medical care for breathing or speaking problems caused by toothache or gum swelling, or swelling around the eye or neck. These are healthdirect’s emergency warning signs. [2]

Call triple zero (000) if you need an ambulance. If you have fever, trouble swallowing or swelling of the cheek or jaw, tell a dentist or doctor when seeking urgent assessment. A serious dental infection may need hospital care. [6] [2] [1]

If you are unsure which service you need, call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 for advice from a registered nurse, available 24 hours a day. Do not use this as a reason to delay emergency care for the warning signs above. [1]

Arrange urgent care first. While you are waiting to be seen, healthdirect’s toothache and gum-swelling guidance suggests the following measures to help with discomfort. [1] [2]

• Ask a pharmacist or doctor about pain relief. Follow the packet instructions and ask which medicine is suitable for you. [2]
• Use a cold compress on the outside of your face. Wrap an ice pack in a cloth rather than placing it directly against your skin. [2]
• Choose food that is easy to chew and swallow. Avoid drinks that are very hot or very cold. [2]
• Keep your mouth clean. Use a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. [2]
• Rest with your head supported on a pillow. Lying flat can sometimes make dental pain feel worse. [2]

These measures are temporary support, not a substitute for abscess treatment. Do not try to pop the gum lump or drain it yourself; Darch Dental Centre’s abscess guidance advises against this because it can cause further damage. [1] [5]

You still need dental assessment. An abscess can rupture and leave a bad taste as pus drains, and the pain may ease. That does not mean the underlying problem has been treated. Our abscess guidance recommends seeing a dentist even if it has already ruptured. [5]

Tell the team what changed and whether you still have swelling, fever or difficulty swallowing. Keep the emergency warning signs in mind rather than judging urgency only by how much the tooth hurts. [2]

The dentist will assess the source and severity of the infection before recommending treatment. This can include questions about symptoms and medical history, an examination and an X-ray. A serious infection may need further tests or hospital care. [1] [2]

Drainage: the dentist may drain pus where there is swelling. Treatment also needs to address the cause; drainage is not something to attempt at home. [1] [5]

Root canal treatment: when the infection involves the inside of a tooth, root canal therapy may be an option. It removes infected pulp and involves cleaning and filling the canals, followed by a filling or crown. It can require several appointments. Complications can include recurrent infection or injury to the root, and further treatment or extraction may be needed. [3]

Extraction: removing the tooth may be needed if it cannot be saved. Extraction has risks, including pain, swelling, bleeding, infection and short-term numbness. Ask the dentist to explain the alternatives and the benefits and risks for your tooth. [5] [4]

Gum treatment: if gum disease is the cause, treatment may include cleaning around the tooth and gum. Not every abscess needs the same procedure. [1]

You can also read our existing guide to emergency root canal treatment for more background on that option. Your assessment determines whether it is appropriate; an abscess does not automatically mean a root canal.

No—healthdirect advises that antibiotics alone are not enough to treat a tooth abscess. They may be part of treatment, but drainage or treatment of the affected tooth or gum may also be needed. [1]

Whether antibiotics are needed depends on the assessment. Our abscess guidance explains that they may not be required when an infection is confined to the abscess area. The dentist considers whether it has spread and your health circumstances. [5]

If you have a swollen gum, a throbbing tooth or a gum pimple, seek urgent advice rather than waiting for it to disappear. A suspected abscess needs assessment, and breathing or speaking problems or swelling around the eye or neck need emergency medical care. [1] [3] [2]

For a dental assessment, contact Darch Dental Centre on (08) 9303 9770. We are at Shop 17, 225 Kingsway, Darch, WA 6065. Tell us when symptoms started and ask about current appointment availability. You can view our emergency dental information or book an appointment online; do not wait for an online booking if you need urgent advice.

Written by: Dr. Jon ( Junyi ) Ho, Dentist. AHPRA registration: DEN0001580649.

Sources checked 13 November 2026. General information only; an examination is needed for advice about your symptoms and treatment.

1. Healthdirect: Tooth abscess.
2. Healthdirect: Toothache and gum swelling.
3. Healthdirect: Root canal treatment.
4. Healthdirect: Tooth extraction.
5. Darch Dental Centre: Dental abscess information.
6. Healthdirect: Calling triple zero (000).