*Welcome to the OutUK series looking at gay men and their health brought to you in association with the NHS* website.**
	Each week we'll tackle a different topic in our A to Z of Gay Health. We'll have features and advice on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. You can follow any of links provided below for more information direct from the NHS website, or see this week's feature L: Laxatives.

Dental Abscess

A dental abscess is a build-up of pus in the teeth or gums caused by an infection. It needs urgent treatment by a dentist. A dental abscess will not go away on its own.

Check if you have a dental abscess

Signs of a dental abscess include:

intense toothache or pain in your gums
redness inside the mouth, or outside the mouth on the face or jaw
sensitivity to hot or cold food and drink in the affected area
a bad taste in your mouth
difficulty opening your mouth and chewing food
a swollen face or jaw
a high temperature

Ask for an urgent dentist appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:

you think you have a dental abscess

Do not go to a GP surgery as they will not be able to give you dental treatment.

To see a dentist in an emergency or out of hours:

call your dentist - if they're closed, their answerphone may tell you what to do

If you do not have a dentist or cannot get to an emergency appointment:

call 111 or get help from 111 online - they can tell you where you can get help for your symptoms
find a dentist near you - ask if you can have an emergency appointment

You may have to pay for your appointment. Find out more about NHS dental charges.

Call 999 or go to A&E if:

you are finding it hard to breathe
have a swollen or painful eye, or suddenly start having problems with your eyesight
have a lot of swelling in your mouth

Find your nearest A&E

How to ease the pain caused by a dental abscess

There are some things you can do to help with the pain until you can get dental treatment.

Do

take painkillers, such as ibuprofen or paracetamol (children under 16 should not take aspirin)
eat soft foods like soup, scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes and yoghurt
use a soft toothbrush to clean your teeth
avoid having sugary, or very hot or cold, foods and drinks

Treatment for a dental abscess

Dental abscesses are usually treated by a dentist. The dentist will drain away the pus.

If a problem with your tooth has caused the abscess, you may need root canal treatment, or the tooth may be removed. You'll be given a local anaesthetic, so you do not feel any pain.

You may be offered painkillers to take for a few days after treatment and may also be given antibiotics.

Causes of a dental abscess

Dental abscesses usually happen when pus builds up beneath your teeth or gums when you have an infection in your mouth.

You may get a dental abscess if:

you have a tooth that has not grown out of your gums properly (an impacted tooth)
you have tooth decay or gum disease
you have injured your teeth, gums or mouth
you're having radiotherapy or chemotherapy

How to prevent dental abscesses

There are some things you can do to help prevent dental abscesses.

Do

brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day - spit after brushing, do not rinse
clean in between your teeth every day using floss or interdental brushes
replace your toothbrush every 1 to 3 months
have regular dental check-ups so problems can be spotted early

Don't

do not use mouthwash straight after brushing your teeth
do not smoke

OutUK's A to Z of Gay Health continues and you can read this week's feature L: Laxatives. We have covered many subjects in this series and you can catch up with all of our Previous A to Z Features. If you want to find out more about this particular topic you can visit the Original article on the NHS website. If you are worried by any aspect of your health make sure you go and see your doctor or book an appointment at your local clinic.
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