Is draining an abscess at home safe?

[Ireland77]

Hi I was wondering if a dentist on here could tell me if it is safe to drain an abscess at home. I have had an abscess since 23rd December 2025, I had to go to A+E in order to get antibiotics as I was not registered at a dentist and have a severe phobia of going to the dentist that is also now paired with my existing GAD (General anxiety disorder). The only way I believe I could have work completed is by going under general anaesthetic due to the almost certainty that I will have a panic or anxiety attack while getting concious work done or even before they attempt to numb me. The abscess in question is not and has not given me any pain for a couple weeks now but swelling is still there, it’s not firm, it’s quite soft, kind off like a half filled water balloon if that makes sense. I’m just wondering if there is a safe way for me drain it myself at home and also if I can get some advice on how to go about receiving the dental work I need to fix this issue under general anaesthetic. I would need to go through the NHS channels as going private isn’t an option for me and due to my anxiety disorder, I can’t bring myself to even step into a dentist office. Thank you in advance.

 

[Gordon]

In theory if you attempt to burst it on your own, then depending on what you use you will run the risk of introducing further infectious agents into the area, also it is likely to be pretty painful to do.

It's probably best just to leave it to burst on its own.

First step would be to get your GP to refer you to a Special Care dentist in your area, they can organise a GA from there.

 

[Ireland77]

Thank you Gordon for replying to me. I haven’t slept properly for weeks now because my anxiety is through the roof and I can’t stop thinking about having to go get this work done. I’ve had multiple panic attacks already and most likely a lot more to come until this problem is sorted. Follow up question, if I get my GP to refer me to a special care dentist, will I be guaranteed general anaesthetic over IV sedation? I’ve had severe anxiety disorder for almost 15 years now and I understand how my body reacts on a day to day basis. I’ve tried many sedatives over the years and none have been strong enough to calm me for long periods of time. Which is why I’m so worried that they will want to give me IV sedation over general anaesthetic, I don’t think I could go through with the procedure if IV sedation is the only option they give me. Thank you again for your time, I really appreciate it!

 

[Gordon]

Follow up question, if I get my GP to refer me to a special care dentist, will I be guaranteed general anaesthetic over IV sedation?

I can't really answer that one. I can't guarantee you anything

It would depend on your general health, what you and the dentist agree needs done in your mouth to get you healthy again. Some treatment just isn't done under GA, crowns, inlays, anything other than the simplest root canals, that kind of stuff.

Just as a BTW, IV sedation is utterly different from any tablets you've had in the past, it's much, much more effective.

 

[Ireland77]

Sorry to bother you again Gordon. But could you put my mind to rest please? I have now finished those antibiotics (Amoxicillin) almost 4 weeks ago now, and I’m trying to get referred for general anesthetic due to my severe anxiety, panic attacks and dental phobia. The abscess to me seems fluctuant and not painful atm. And the waiting process to get into the hospital for treatment under GA is going to be a while I reckon. So I have 2 questions. 1. Given that I’ve already had a course of antibiotics and the abscess is still there, my guess is that I will have a flare up while I wait, what antibiotics would be the next to take and what dose age if that happens? I keep seeing things saying take Amoxicillin with Metronidazole but they never say how many mg off each to take and how many times a day. Your professional opinion would be really appreciated my friend. 2. How likely is it that the infection spreads while I’m waiting? I regret to say that over the weekend, I had a nervous breakdown full of stress, anxiety and panic, and read that it can severely disrupt your immune system due to the cortisol, will that play a factor in my chances of the infection spreading and do you think that it is a possibility of it spreading due to that? Thank you again in advance for your time.

 

[Gordon]

1. Given that I’ve already had a course of antibiotics and the abscess is still there, my guess is that I will have a flare up while I wait, what antibiotics would be the next to take and what dose age if that happens?

It's not a bother to answer your questions, it's why I come on here

Depends on the timing of the flare up, if it's inside 6 weeks, then probably just Metronidazole will do, if it's beyond that then probably more Amoxycillin.

2. How likely is it that the infection spreads while I’m waiting? I regret to say that over the weekend

We've gone over this before on here numerous times. Oral bacteria are generally pretty delicate wee creatures, they're relatively easy meat for a functioning immune system. Stress will have a bit of an effect on the immune system but nothing like what it would take to let these bacteria do any real damage, (think leukaemia, or HIV levels of damage to the immune response)

The chance of the infection spreading is as close to zero as makes no difference. I'm more likely to go on a hot date with Scarlett Johansson (I'm sad to say)

 

[Ireland77]

Thank you for putting my mind at ease Gordon. You are a saint!!

 

[Ireland77]

@Gordon Hi Gordon. Today I went for my pre assessment for GA to have my dental work completed and to finally deal with this abscess. Turns out I’m getting 4 teeth out and some fillings done all at the same time while under GA. My nerves are still wrecked but I know this needs to happen and will be what’s best for me. Just gotta ride out the anxiety on the day and pray they get me to sleep before a full panic attack starts. Was reading that they give you some medicine to calm you down before you go in but also read it makes you feel “out off it” and slows down the recovery room process so I’m thinking about just white knuckling it without that just so I can get home faster after but we will see on the day lol. Also on my 2nd course off amoxicillin now and pretty sure I’ll need a 3rd course before the GA day as it won’t be until May or June. Just keeping you posted my friend. Hope your well

 

[Gordon]

You can have some Temazepam or similar before the GA, which might help avoid the panic at the hospital, but double check with the team first.

It really won't make a lot of difference regarding recovery or how long you'll be in the hospital for.

I'm very well thank you for asking.

 

[Ireland77]

Hi Gordon. Sorry to bother you again. But could you be able to explain to me exactly what going under general anaesthetic will feel like? I’m feeling really anxious about it

 

[Kitty84]

Hiya, I’m not the lege Gordon is, or a dentist haha but I have had GA’s several times - for my wisdom teeth removal and some other non dental
Surgeries.

I can’t tell you how exactly it might feel
For you, but for me it has always been quite a xalm
Process. I’ve been given some sort of pre med to help relax (usually a tablet of some Sort) and then had a cannula popped in my hand or arm.

They pop the anesthetic drug in the cannula and someone will be with you talking to you, and for me I then feel quite warm, and it suddenly hits me, and then i know nothing until I wake up. Waking up I feel a bit fuzzy and confused - i often find it feels a bit like being rudely awoken! Drift in and out of sleep for a wee bit - and then grand. But tired for a few days and sometimes you can feel a bit sicky. Honestly it’s not as scary as the thought of it. Hope that helps a little

 

[Gordon]

That's a great and very useful post Kitty84, thanks very much for sharing it. You can't beat first hand experience.

Just to add a couple of things...
The old trope of counting back from 10 like you see in TV shows doesn't happen anymore, by the time you'd get the patient to start counting they're already asleep.

Most folks are out in literally a couple of seconds. When I was teaching new dentists and dental nurses about dental GA it was the thing that they found most surprising.

 

[Ireland77]

@Kitty84 thank you for trying to help me come to terms with this and relax about it. Do you mind me asking how the pre med made you feel? I’m sensitive to feeling woozy or lightheaded as it can trigger my anxiety (not that it should matter as it will be triggered already on the day). And how long was your wait before being brought into be put under? I think for me the wait will probably be a lot more intense than the actual procedure (hopefully). I appreciate your feedback. I’m just trying to gain knowledge to help put my mind to rest as I can’t stop thinking about the GA coming up and I’m spending every waking minute off the day worrying.

 

[Gordon]

And how long was your wait before being brought into be put under? I think for me the wait will probably be a lot more intense than the actual procedure (hopefully).

It's not possible for anyone on here to answer that one for you, different hospitals have different protocols. Some book individual appointments others block book all the patients in at the same time and work through the list. (It's a lot more efficient but means patients have to wait around longer).

You need to ask the dentist who is doing your treatment what they do.

Once you get moved into the theatre then you get put under within 2-3 minutes.

 

[Kitty84]

@Ireland77 hey, I’m so sorry I’m just seeing this now - if you’ve had your treatment I really hope that it went ok for you. If not yet, then maybe this will help a tiny bit

Different places use different things for pre meds. I’ve had quite a lot of medical procedures (which oddly
Don’t bother me - it’s the teeth that scare me!). Usually they make me feel quite tired and maybe a bit spacey. I’ve personally not felt sicky with anyway, they just tend to suddenly bit and make me feel super tired but im still awake - just waaaay calmer.

Like Gordon says , GA induction is so fast now. I was having part of my
Spinal surgery (I had a massive accident and have had quite a few ops to put me back together again!) and was in prep room by theatre (This is nothing to worry about, they give you the GA in a calm space) and they injected meds into cannula and I started to say oooh im
Still awake, but didn’t get past the A in awake Apparantly!!!

Hoping you are OK. Honestly, GA sounds worrying but for me, it’s been fine. Feel free to ask any more questions about how it feels
If that helps and I will check back x

 

[Ireland77]

@Gordon hi Gordon, unfortunately I’m here again to ask for your wisdom and guidance. So I couldn’t bring myself to go for the GA, my anxiety wouldn’t let me. I was telling you previously about the abscess I had, I was given a course off amoxicillin at the end of December going into January and they worked, had a slight flare up again in February and was given another course off amoxicillin that worked again, but unfortunately 4 days ago (21st June 2026) I’ve had another flare up and the abscess seems to be getting bigger, with some swelling in my lower jaw/cheek. Pain started again around day 2 or 3, I’ve been managing the pain with paracetamol and doing salt water rinses as I can’t take Ibuprofen for the swelling due to the medication I’m on (Sertraline). I have a box off amoxicillin sitting here that I purchased myself from and online pharmacy but I’m terrified about taking them because off all the stories I’ve read online about bacteria resistance due to taking to much antibiotics. But as the days go on here I’m getting closer and closer to just starting to take them. Don’t think I could get away with not taking them and just continuing with what I’m doing to treat the pain until it hopefully ruptures on its own, or do you think it’s better to take another course off amoxicillin? Thank you again Gordon, always look forward to hearing from you. Hope you are well.

 

[Ireland77]

Swelling seems to be getting worse, feels like it’s going into my cheek now, there is no way off knowing where my gum ends and my cheek begins at this point.

 

[Gordon]

Answered in the other thread you started.