Dental Abscess, Glasgow: Throbbing Pain, Swelling or a Bad Taste?

Q: Can a dental abscess go away on its own?

The pain can ease, especially if the swelling drains or the nerve dies, but the infection stays in the bone and flares again, often worse. A sudden end to toothache isn't a cure; get the tooth checked.

Q: Is a dental abscess dangerous?

Usually it's painful rather than dangerous, but an infection that spreads to the floor of the mouth, the neck or the eye can be serious. Swelling that affects breathing or swallowing, a high temperature or a swelling growing by the hour means A&E, not a dental appointment.

Q: I'm in pain. Can you see me today?

Usually the same day. Call us as early as you can on 0141 248 1183: we keep appointments free every weekday for emergencies, whether or not you're registered with us. An emergency appointment is £70, or free for dental plan members, and treatment to relieve the pain, such as the first stage of root canal treatment, can often start at that visit. Outside our hours, call NHS 24 on 111.

Q: Can the tooth be saved?

Often, with root canal treatment, which removes the infected nerve and seals the tooth. A tooth that is cracked through, broken below the gum or has lost too much bone is better removed and replaced. An X-ray at your emergency visit tells us which.

An abscess is an infection at the root of a tooth or in the gum beside it. It won't settle on its own, painkillers only mask it, and antibiotics alone don't cure it. The tooth needs treating, and we can usually see you the same day.An infection at the root of a tooth or in the gum beside it. It won't settle on its own; the tooth needs treating, and we can usually see you the same day.

Call 0141 248 1183Book a same-day appointment WhatsApp

Emergency appointment £70, registered with us or not, free for dental plan members. Outside our hours, NHS 24 on 111.²

What to Do Now

Before you're seen.

Painkillers, Taken Properly

Ordinary painkillers as directed on the packet, taken regularly rather than waiting for the pain to peak. Don't put aspirin on the gum; it burns it.

Rinse, Don't Poke

Warm salt water rinses several times a day ease the gum. Don't try to burst a swelling or press on it.

Keep Cool and Upright

A cold compress on the cheek helps swelling. Sleeping propped up eases the throbbing at night.

Call Us the Same Day

An emergency appointment is £70, registered with us or not. If the swelling is spreading fast or affecting your breathing, swallowing or eye, go to A&E now.

How We Treat It

First the pain, then the cause. Antibiotics are sometimes added, but they're never the whole answer.

Find the Source

An examination and X-ray show whether the infection is from the nerve of a tooth, from the gum around it, or from a wisdom tooth coming through.

Drain the Infection

Releasing the pressure is what stops the pain, usually by opening the tooth or draining the swelling at the same visit.

Root Canal Treatment

If the tooth can be saved, the infected nerve is removed and the canals cleaned and sealed: root canal treatment from £450, often started at the emergency visit.

Extraction

If the tooth can't be saved, removing it clears the infection. From £125, with sedation if you'd like it.

Gum Abscess

Infection in a gum pocket is cleaned out below the gum line, then treated as part of gum disease treatment.

Antibiotics

Used when infection is spreading or you're unwell, alongside treatment, not instead of it. They don't reach the inside of a dead tooth.

Go to A&E or Call 999 If

Swelling is spreading to your eye, down your neck or under your tongue

You can't open your mouth, swallow properly or breathe easily

You have a high temperature with a swollen face, or feel very unwell

Swelling is growing quickly over a few hours

Call Us the Same Day If

Throbbing toothache, worse when you bite or lie down

A swelling on the gum, cheek or face, or a spot on the gum that leaks

A bad taste or smell that doesn't go away

A tooth that feels raised, or is loose

Pain that has stopped suddenly after days of toothache; the nerve may have died and the infection is still there

Fees

The emergency appointment is one fee; the permanent fix is quoted in writing before it's done. Prices checked October 2026.²

Emergency appointment, registered or not	£70
Emergency nerve removal	£110
Root canal treatment, incisor	£450
Root canal treatment, molar	£595
Routine extraction	£125
Surgical or wisdom tooth extraction	£450
IV sedation, per session	£500

See every fee

Questions

Antibiotics, pain relief and whether the tooth can be saved.

Will antibiotics cure a dental abscess?–

No. Antibiotics can calm a spreading infection and are sometimes prescribed alongside treatment, but they can't reach the dead nerve inside a tooth, so the abscess returns once they stop. The tooth needs root canal treatment or extraction to clear it.

Can a dental abscess go away on its own?+

Is a dental abscess dangerous?+

I'm in pain. Can you see me today?+

Can the tooth be saved?+

Guides

Toothache and Infection

All general dentistry guides

General dentistry · 5 minute read

Wisdom Teeth, Explained

Swelling or Throbbing Pain? Call Us

Same-day appointments Monday to Friday for anyone, registered or not. Breathing or swallowing affected: go to A&E now.

Call 0141 248 1183Book a same-day appointment

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