Dental abscesses usually need dental treatment rather than antibiotics. If symptoms started within the last 48 hours and you have no fever and no facial spread, try regular pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen if suitable and arrange a dental appointment. Antibiotics are mainly used when there are signs of spreading or systemic infection or if dental care isn’t immediately available

A persistent or uncontrolled fever may mean the infection is spreading. Please seek urgent dental or medical assessment via a dentist or NHS 111. We can’t safely supply antibiotics online in this situation.

BASED ON YOUR RESPONSES, YOU DO NOT REPORT SYMPTOMS CONSISTENT WITH A DENTAL ABSCESS, THEREFORE WE ARE UNABLE TO PROCEED WITH SUPPLYING TREATMENT AT THIS TIME.

Antibiotics can only be provided where there is clear evidence of bacterial infection following appropriate assessment. Please arrange a dental examination for diagnosis and management, and seek urgent dental care or contact NHS 111 if you develop swelling, fever, spreading redness, or feel unwell.

We are unable to provide an antibiotic course without a dentist review of the ongoing problem. Please persist with seeing a dentist including via the 111 service.

STOP – YOU MAY HAVE A SERIOUS INFECTION. SEEK URGENT MEDICAL ATTENTION NOW. ATTEND A&E OR CALL 999 IF YOU HAVE BREATHING, SWALLOWING OR EYE INVOLVEMENT SYMPTOMS

These symptoms can indicate a spreading or life-threatening infection that requires immediate in-person assessment. We cannot safely provide treatment online in this situation.