Facial swelling from a tooth infection needs prompt attention. If the swelling is spreading, your eye is closing, you have a fever, or it’s hard to swallow or breathe, call 000 or go to your nearest hospital emergency department now. If you feel well and the swelling is small, see a dentist the same day.
A dental abscess can’t be fixed at home, and antibiotics alone won’t solve it. This guide explains the warning signs, what to do while you wait and how the tooth is treated. For other urgent problems, see our dental emergency guide.
Swollen face tooth infection: hospital warning signs
Infection from a tooth can spread from the jaw into the soft tissues of the face and neck. Occasionally this becomes serious enough to affect breathing. Call 000 or go to the nearest emergency department if you notice:
- swelling that is spreading quickly, or has spread to the eye, neck or floor of the mouth (under the tongue)
- an eye that is closing or puffy because of the swelling
- difficulty swallowing, drooling, or being unable to swallow your own saliva
- difficulty breathing, or a hoarse or muffled voice
- a raised tongue or firm swelling under the jaw
- fever, chills, a racing heartbeat or feeling very unwell
- being unable to open your mouth more than a finger’s width
Also go to hospital for bleeding that won’t stop after 15–20 minutes of firm pressure, a possible broken jaw, or a knock to the head with loss of consciousness, vomiting or confusion. Out of hours, if you’re unsure, call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 for 24/7 nurse advice.
Take extra care with children, and if you have diabetes, a weakened immune system or another serious health condition, as infections can progress faster. Seek help early rather than waiting overnight.
Why does a tooth infection make your face swell?
Bacteria can reach the inside of a tooth through deep decay, a crack or an old, leaking filling. As the nerve dies, infection collects at the tip of the root and forms an abscess, a pocket of pus. Infection can also start in a deep gum pocket or under the gum flap of a wisdom tooth.
As pus builds up, it can push through the bone into the surrounding tissues. Infection from upper teeth often causes swelling in the cheek or near the eye, while lower teeth tend to cause swelling along or under the jaw.
Other signs of a dental abscess
- throbbing toothache, or pain when you bite
- a pimple on the gum that may leak a salty or bad-tasting fluid
- a tooth that feels loose or raised
- tender, swollen glands under the jaw
- bad breath or a bad taste that won’t go away
Sometimes the pain eases when an abscess drains on its own, but the infection is still there and usually returns.
When to see a dentist the same day
If you have facial swelling but none of the hospital warning signs, call a dentist as soon as they open. We aim to see urgent problems as soon as possible, often on the same day. Our emergency dentist in North Sydney can assess the swelling, find the source and start treatment. If the swelling gets worse while you wait, don’t hold on for the appointment; go to hospital.
What to do while you wait, and what to avoid
Do
- Hold a cold pack wrapped in a cloth against the outside of your cheek for 10–15 minutes at a time.
- Take over-the-counter pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, taken as directed on the pack, if it’s safe for you.
- Rinse gently with warm salty water.
- Keep your head raised when lying down, and drink plenty of fluids.
- Take a photo of the swelling every few hours so you can see whether it’s spreading.
Avoid
- Heat packs or hot compresses on your face. Heat can increase swelling and may draw the infection towards the skin.
- Squeezing or piercing the swelling yourself.
- Leftover or borrowed antibiotics.
- Aspirin on the gum, which can burn the tissue.
- Waiting it out. Swelling that seems to settle can flare again.
Do antibiotics fix a tooth infection?
Not on their own. Antibiotics are only available on prescription from a dentist or doctor, and they’re usually reserved for infections that are spreading or making you unwell. They can help bring the infection under control, but they can’t reach the source inside the dead or damaged tooth.
Without treating the tooth, the infection usually comes back. Many dental abscesses are managed by draining the infection and treating the tooth, often without antibiotics at all. If you are prescribed them, take them exactly as directed and keep your follow-up appointment, even if the swelling goes down.
How the infected tooth is treated
At our North Sydney practice, your dentist will examine the area, take an X-ray and explain what they find. Treatment aims to drain the infection and remove its source:
- Draining the abscess, through the tooth or a small opening in the gum, to relieve pressure and pain.
- Root canal therapy, which cleans and seals the infected inside of the tooth so it can be kept.
- Tooth extraction, if the tooth can’t be saved or you’d prefer not to keep it.
Your dentist will explain the options, likely costs and risks before anything is done. Severe infections sometimes need hospital care, including drainage under general anaesthetic. If you feel anxious about treatment, ask us about happy gas.
Frequently asked questions
Should I go to hospital for a swollen face from a tooth infection?
Yes, if the swelling is spreading, your eye is closing, you have a fever, or you have any difficulty swallowing or breathing. Call 000 if breathing is affected. Smaller swelling without these signs should be seen by a dentist the same day.
How long does a swollen face tooth infection take to go down?
Once the infection is drained and the tooth is treated, swelling often starts to ease within a day or two and may take several days to settle fully. If it is getting bigger instead, seek help urgently.
Can I use a heat pack on a swollen face?
No. Heat can increase swelling and may draw the infection outward. Use a cold pack wrapped in a cloth on the outside of your cheek instead, for 10 to 15 minutes at a time.
Will antibiotics get rid of a tooth abscess?
Antibiotics may help control a spreading infection, but they don’t remove the cause. The tooth still needs treatment, such as root canal therapy or an extraction, or the infection is likely to return. Antibiotics are only available on prescription.
Need help now?
North Sydney Dentistry is at Level 1, Suite 102/71 Walker St, North Sydney, a two-minute walk from North Sydney station. We’re open Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm, and keep time aside for urgent problems where we can. Call (02) 8090 1108 or book online.
This article is general information only and is not a substitute for advice from your own dentist or doctor. Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.