Print Print
CKS is no longer commissioned by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). NICE remains committed to providing a replacement service for CKS and is currently reviewing its options. In the meantime, although CKS content is now not being maintained, it still remains relevant and will continue to be made available. CKS content was generated under a programme of topic creation and update. To check if the topic you are viewing is current or out of date, please refer to the topic publication details by clicking on the 'How up-to-date is this topic?' link in the left hand menu on individual topic pages.

Dental abscess - Management
What self-care advice should I recommend for dental abscess?

  • Provide advice regarding food and drink to reduce the pressure and pain of the dental abscess:
    • Avoid food or drink that may be too hot or cold.
    • Consume cool, soft foods.
  • Advise the safe use of analgesics:
    • Encourage regular use of analgesics and warn the individual not to exceed the recommended or prescribed dose.
    • Remind the individual that analgesics should not be used to delay appropriate dental treatment.
    • Inform the individual that many over-the-counter preparations contain similar analgesics. The person should avoid taking combinations of analgesic products at the same time without first checking with a healthcare professional or the packaging.
  • If a person is refusing to go to a dental practitioner, consider the following self-care advice:
    • Brushing — use a soft tooth brush to reduce discomfort. Avoid flossing the tooth with the abscess.
    • Eating — try eating on the other side of the mouth to reduce discomfort and irritation to the abscess.
Clarification / Additional information
  • People should be advised that serious complications may happen if the abscess is not treated correctly by a dental practitioner.
Basis for recommendation

© NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement