Get rid of abscess tooth at home

A tooth abscess cannot be removed at home; urgent dental treatment must drain or eliminate the infected source.

An abscess is a pocket of pus caused by infection in a tooth or surrounding gum. Home care can ease symptoms but cannot remove the infected source.

Rinse gently with warm salt water, keep the area clean, and use labelled pain relief only if suitable. Do not pierce, squeeze, heat, or put aspirin on the gum; treatment may involve drainage, root canal treatment, extraction, or selected antibiotics.

Get urgent care for swelling, fever, worsening pain, or difficulty opening the mouth. Emergency care is needed for trouble breathing or swallowing, or rapidly spreading face or neck swelling.

Ask where the infection began, whether drainage, root canal treatment, or extraction is needed, and whether an antibiotic is indicated.