Symptoms & conditions
Swollen gums or abscess
The short answer
Sudden gum swelling — especially with pain, pus, or fever — usually means a dental abscess. This needs same-day treatment. Do NOT wait it out: untreated abscess spreads into the jaw, neck, and bloodstream. We see emergency swellings without an appointment.
What's happening
The clinical picture
A dental abscess forms when bacteria from deep decay or advanced gum disease reach tissue beyond the tooth and the body walls it off with pus. The swelling is trapped infection. Treatment is drainage (either by opening the pulp through the tooth, extracting the tooth, or cutting a small incision in the gum) plus antibiotics. Antibiotics alone only buy time — they don't clear the source. A hot compress, paracetamol + ibuprofen, and salt-water rinses help while you get to us.
Warning signs
Contact us the same day if:
- Swelling spreading to the cheek, eye area, or neck
- Difficulty swallowing or opening the mouth
- Fever above 38°C with facial swelling
- Pus draining into the mouth
- Severe throbbing pain that analgesics barely touch
What we do
Our approach
Same-day emergency slot. X-ray to find the source, local anaesthesia (we'll use extra for swollen tissue which resists numbing), drainage + antibiotic prescription. Root canal or extraction once the acute phase settles, usually 3-5 days later. We follow up within 48 hours either way.
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