What can i take for infected tooth

Q: Can I buy antibiotics for tooth infection over the counter?

Antibiotics arent available without a prescription, but there are a few things you can do at home for relief before your appointment, such as: taking over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) gently rinsing your mouth with warm salt water.

Table of Contents Show

How can you care for yourself at home?
When should you call for help?
Where can you learn more?
Check if you have a dental abscess
Urgent advice: Ask for an urgent dentist appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:
To see a dentist in an emergency or out of hours:
If you do not have a dentist or cannot get to an emergency appointment:
Immediate action required: Call 999 or go to A&E if:
How to ease the pain caused by a dental abscess
Treatment for a dental abscess
Causes of a dental abscess
How to prevent dental abscesses
How can I get rid of an infection in my tooth without antibiotics?
What can I take to get rid of a tooth infection?
Can I buy antibiotics for tooth infection over the counter?
What can I do for an infected tooth at home?

Overview

An abscessed tooth is a tooth that has a pocket of pus in the tissues around it. Pus forms when the body tries to fight an infection caused by bacteria. If the pus cannot drain, it forms an abscess. An abscessed tooth can cause red, swollen gums and throbbing pain, especially when you chew. You may have a bad taste in your mouth and a fever, and your jaw may swell.

Damage to the tooth, untreated tooth decay, or gum disease can cause an abscessed tooth.

An abscessed tooth needs to be treated by a dental professional right away. If it is not treated, the infection could spread to other parts of your body. Your dentist will give you antibiotics to stop the infection. If antibiotics don't stop the infection, you may need other treatments.

Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse advice line (811 in most provinces and territories) if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.

How can you care for yourself at home?

Brush and floss gently.
Reduce pain and swelling in your face and jaw by putting ice or a cold pack on the outside of your cheek. Do this for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Put a thin cloth between the ice and your skin.
Avoid using tobacco products. Tobacco and nicotine slow your ability to heal.
Take pain medicines exactly as directed.
- If the doctor gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed.
- If you are not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter medicine such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin). Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
Take antibiotics as directed. Do not stop taking them just because you feel better. You need to take the full course of antibiotics.

When should you call for help?

Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:

You have trouble breathing.

Call your doctor or nurse advice line now or seek immediate medical care if:

You have worsening signs of infection, such as:
- Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness.
- Red streaks leading from the area.
- Pus draining from the area.
- A fever.

Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor or nurse advice line if:

You do not get better as expected.

Where can you learn more?

Go to https://www.healthwise.net/patientEd

Enter L466 in the search box to learn more about "Abscessed Tooth: Care Instructions".

A dental abscess is a build-up of pus in the teeth or gums caused by an infection. It needs urgent treatment by a dentist. A dental abscess will not go away on its own.

Check if you have a dental abscess

Signs of a dental abscess include:

intense toothache or pain in your gums
redness inside the mouth, or outside the mouth on the face or jaw
sensitivity to hot or cold food and drink in the affected area
a bad taste in your mouth
difficulty opening your mouth and chewing food
a swollen face or jaw
a high temperature

Urgent advice: Ask for an urgent dentist appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:

you think you have a dental abscess

Do not go to a GP surgery as they will not be able to give you dental treatment.

Information:

To see a dentist in an emergency or out of hours:

call your dentist – if they're closed, their answerphone may tell you what to do

If you do not have a dentist or cannot get to an emergency appointment:

call 111 or get help from 111 online – they can tell you where you can get help for your symptoms
find a dentist near you – ask if you can have an emergency appointment

You may have to pay for your appointment. Find out more about NHS dental charges.

Immediate action required: Call 999 or go to A&E if:

you are finding it hard to breathe
have a swollen or painful eye, or suddenly start having problems with your eyesight
have a lot of swelling in your mouth

Find your nearest A&E

How to ease the pain caused by a dental abscess

There are some things you can do to help with the pain until you can get dental treatment.

Do

take painkillers, such as ibuprofen or paracetamol (children under 16 should not take aspirin)
eat soft foods like soup, scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes and yoghurt
use a soft toothbrush to clean your teeth
avoid having sugary, or very hot or cold, foods and drinks

Treatment for a dental abscess

Dental abscesses are usually treated by a dentist. The dentist will drain away the pus.

If a problem with your tooth has caused the abscess, you may need root canal treatment, or the tooth may be removed. You'll be given a local anaesthetic, so you do not feel any pain.

You may be offered painkillers to take for a few days after treatment and may also be given antibiotics.

Causes of a dental abscess

Dental abscesses usually happen when pus builds up beneath your teeth or gums when you have an infection in your mouth.

You may get a dental abscess if:

you have a tooth that has not grown out of your gums properly (an impacted tooth)
you have tooth decay or gum disease
you have injured your teeth, gums or mouth
you're having radiotherapy or chemotherapy

How to prevent dental abscesses

There are some things you can do to help prevent dental abscesses.

Do

brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day - spit after brushing, do not rinse
clean in between your teeth every day using floss or interdental brushes
replace your toothbrush every 1 to 3 months
have regular dental check-ups so problems can be spotted early

Don’t

do not use mouthwash straight after brushing your teeth
do not smoke

Page last reviewed: 20 June 2022
Next review due: 20 June 2025

How can I get rid of an infection in my tooth without antibiotics?

Make a baking soda paste Baking soda is a quick and effective way to ease an infected tooth. Mix 1/2 tablespoon of baking soda with 1/2 cup of water and a bit of table salt. Swish in your mouth for a few minutes and again until the mixture is gone.

What can I take to get rid of a tooth infection?

Antibiotics are a common treatment for tooth infections to kill dangerous bacteria and prevent your infection from spreading.

Can I buy antibiotics for tooth infection over the counter?

Antibiotics aren't available without a prescription, but there are a few things you can do at home for relief before your appointment, such as: taking over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) gently rinsing your mouth with warm salt water.

What can I do for an infected tooth at home?

All you need to do is add one teaspoon of table salt or more into a glass of warm water. Not only does salt help to reduce bacteria, but rinsing with warm salt water can also remove debris from your mouth, break up pus around the tooth, and help ensure proper wound healing.

infected tooth