Draining a gum abscess
gum abscess · dental abscess · gum boil · abscess drainage
The doctor makes a small cut in the gum and lets the pus out. This relieves the pressure and pain.
When a bad tooth causes swelling of the gum and cheek, pain, and pus.
⏱ Duration: the procedure itself usually takes 15 to 30 minutes
Be sure to tell your doctor
How to prepare
- No heat. Do not put anything warm on your cheek. It can make the infection worse.
- Food. You can eat beforehand. For a couple of hours after the procedure, your mouth will still be numb.
- Medicines. Do not stop your medicines on your own. Tell the doctor everything you take.
What to bring
- Your ID
- A list of your medicines
- Past X-rays of the tooth, if you have them
How it goes
- The doctor checks the tooth and gum, often with an X-ray
- You get a numbing injection
- The doctor makes a small cut in the gum
- The pus is let out and the area is rinsed
- Sometimes a thin rubber strip is left in to help it drain
- The doctor decides what to do with the tooth: treat it now or later
What you'll feel
- The numbing injection is a quick sting
- During the cut, you feel pressure but not pain
- When the numbness wears off, it may ache for 1 to 3 days, usually less than before
Afterwards
- Rinse and take medicines exactly as the doctor said
- Do not warm your cheek, and do not touch the wound with your tongue
- You usually come back in 1 to 2 days, and the strip is removed
- The tooth that caused it must be treated or removed. The doctor will tell you
Contact a doctor straight away if
- The swelling grows and spreads to your neck or under your eye: call emergency services
- It is hard to swallow, breathe, or open your mouth: call emergency services
- A fever over 38°C that stays or goes up
- New pus and severe pain after 2 to 3 days
Common questions
Can I treat an abscess at home?
No. The pus needs to be let out and the tooth treated. Pills alone do not fix the problem.
Why can't I warm my cheek?
Heat can make the infection worse and spread the pus.