Dental Abscess, Edinburgh: Throbbing Pain, Swelling or a Bad Taste?
An abscess means infection at a tooth's root or in the gum next to it. It won't clear up by itself: painkillers simply hide it, and antibiotics alone won't cure it. The tooth needs treatment, and at Comely Bank Dental we can usually see you the same weekday.An infection at a tooth's root or in the neighbouring gum. It won't clear up by itself, so the tooth needs treatment, and in Comely Bank we can usually see you the same day.
Emergency appointments cost £75 if you're registered and £99 if not, and are free for dental plan members. Out of hours, NHS 24 is on 111.2
What to Do Now
Until your appointment.
Painkillers, Taken Properly
Take ordinary painkillers as the packet directs, at regular intervals instead of waiting for the pain to peak. Never hold aspirin against the gum; it burns.
Rinse, Don't Poke
Rinse with warm salt water several times a day to soothe the gum. Don't press a swelling or try to burst it.
Keep Cool and Upright
Hold a cold compress to your cheek for swelling, and sleep propped up to ease night-time throbbing.
Call Us the Same Day
Emergency appointments are £75, or £99 if you aren't registered with us. Go to A&E straight away if the swelling spreads quickly, affects your eye, or makes it hard to breathe or swallow.
How We Treat It
We deal with the pain first and the cause next. Antibiotics sometimes play a part, but never on their own.
Find the Source
We examine you and take an X-ray to see where the infection starts: a tooth's nerve, the surrounding gum, or a wisdom tooth that's still erupting.
Drain the Infection
The pain stops once the pressure is released, which usually means opening the tooth or draining the swelling there and then.
Root Canal Treatment
When the tooth can be saved, we take out the infected nerve, then clean and seal the canals. Root canal treatment starts at £450 and often begins at the emergency visit.
Extraction
Where the tooth can't be saved, taking it out clears the infection. From £170, with sedation if you prefer.
Gum Abscess
We clean an infected gum pocket out beneath the gum line, then manage it within your gum disease treatment.
Antibiotics
They're for a spreading infection or when you feel unwell, alongside treatment, never instead of it. They can't reach inside a tooth that has died.
Go to A&E or Call 999 If
Call Us the Same Day If
Fees
Your emergency visit has a single fee, and permanent treatment is quoted in writing before it goes ahead. Prices checked October 2026.2
| Emergency appointment (registered) | £75 |
| Emergency appointment (not registered) | £99 |
| Emergency removal of the nerve | £110 |
| Root canal, front tooth (incisor) | £450 |
| Root canal, back tooth (molar) | £595 |
| Extraction, routine | £170 |
| Wisdom tooth or surgical extraction | £450 |
| IV sedation (each session) | £500 |
Questions
Pain relief, antibiotics, and whether we can save the tooth.
Toothache and Infection
Swelling or Throbbing Pain? Call Us
Monday to Friday, we can see anyone on the day, registered or not. If your breathing or swallowing is affected, go to A&E now.