SWELLING & INFECTION

FAST CARE FOR DENTAL INFECTIONS

ABOUT

Dental swelling and infection treatment in Barnstaple

Dental swellings and infections can escalate quickly, which is why we treat them as urgent priorities and see patients the same day. Using evidence-based protocols and advanced clinical experience, we assess the severity, get the infection under control, and monitor for any warning signs that require immediate hospital care. At The Curve, you’re in experienced hands that know exactly when intervention is needed and how to manage infections safely and effectively.

WHY CHOOSE THIS TREATMENT?

BENEFITS

Same-day urgent appointments

Dental infections don't wait, and neither do we. Call us and we'll see you on the same day.

Experienced infection management

With years of global experience including time in hospital dental trauma units, our team has managed countless dental infections and knows how to treat them effectively and safely. You're in expert hands.

Expert diagnosis

Understanding what's causing your infection is the first step to fixing it properly. We take the time to diagnose the issue accurately, using thorough examination and advanced imaging when needed, so we can treat the root cause.

Calm and compassionate care

Swellings can feel overwhelming, which is why we take a calm, reassuring approach that never feels rushed, using strong anaesthetics to ensure treatment is as comfortable as possible. You'll be looked after carefully by dentists with gentle hands, with time to explain what's happening and what we're doing to help.

Evidence-based treatment

We follow clinical best-practice guidelines to ensure you receive the most effective, research-backed care to get you out of pain properly.

ABOUT THE TREATMENT

Recognising severe swellings and signs of sepsis

Most dental swellings can be managed safely in the dental practice, but some require urgent hospital care and knowing the difference can be life-saving.

If you have a swelling that’s restricting your breathing or airway, extending toward your eye go to A&E immediately.

If you’re showing signs of sepsis (such as not passing urine in 12-18hrs, high fever, rapid heart or breathing rate, confusion or altered mental state, or feeling extremely unwell), you need to go to A&E immediately or call 999.

We’re trained to recognise these warning signs during your assessment, and if we’re concerned, we’ll refer you to hospital straight away.

For swellings that can be managed here, we’ll drain any abscess, prescribe appropriate antibiotics, and treat the underlying cause if possible.

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PRICING

Emergency Appointment

£105

Includes assessment and radiographs. (Treatment not included, this will be confirmed after seeing the dentist).

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Extraction

£200

Includes tooth removal and aftercare guidance for a routine extraction.

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Emergency Root Canal

£175

Includes extirpation to get you out of pain. (Root canal treatment will need to be completed in full at a later date)

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Frequently asked
questions

FAQ

01 What causes dental swelling and infection?

Dental infections usually start from untreated tooth decay, gum disease, or trauma that allows bacteria to enter the tooth or surrounding tissues. Once bacteria get inside, they can form an abscess - a pocket of pus that causes swelling, pain, and sometimes fever. Left untreated, the infection can spread to nearby tissues, which is why urgent treatment is so important.

02 When should I go to A&E instead of the dentist for a dental swelling?

Go to A&E immediately if your swelling is restricting your breathing or swallowing, or extending toward your eye. If you're showing signs of sepsis such as not passing urine in 12-18hrs, high fever, rapid breathing or heart rate, confusion, extreme weakness, or feeling severely unwell - these are signs that the infection has become serious and needs urgent hospital care. Call 999 or go to A&E immediately. For other dental swellings, call us and we'll see you as quickly as possible.

03 What are the signs of sepsis?

Sepsis is a life-threatening response to infection and requires immediate medical attention. Warning signs such as not passing urine in 12-18hrs, high fever, rapid heart or breathing rate, confusion or altered mental state, or feeling extremely unwell - go to A&E or call 999 immediately.

04 Will antibiotics alone fix my dental infection?

In most cases, no. Antibiotics are only recommended in a small number of specific situations. The majority of dental infections require active treatment like draining an abscess, emergency root canal treatment, or extraction to manage them safely and effectively. Antibiotics can be useful in certain circumstances, but they're not a substitute for treating the source of infection. We'll prescribe antibiotics only when clinically required, and always alongside the appropriate treatment to resolve the problem properly.