Can a dental abcess get better on its own?

[mpuddleduck]

I have had a dental abcess for a while now, went through lots of pain, saw a dentist who put on a temporary dressing, then my gum swelled and I have muddled along with this lump on my gum. At the weekend my gland on that side swelled, as did my neck and the tenderness is smaller now but moved to the inside of my gum. My gland and neck don't seem as bad today, is this the abcess sorting itself out?

Did your dentist prescribe antibiotics? Abcesses are nasty and can, in extreme circumstances be very dangerous.
You say the dentist put on a temporary dressing, so does that mean you have another appointment to go back for further treatment?

I would go back to your dentist and ask his opinion and, as it has not totally cleared up, I would ask for the antibiotics which is the standard treatment for an abcess.
I hope you're feeling better soon.

Yes, I have had 2 lots of antibiotics, last one in mid march. If I push the gum under the tooth there it releases a small amount of ?pus. I have got another appointment but not for another 5 weeks.

A dental abscess is classed as a medical emergency as it can infect the jaw bone and spread to the blood. You need to get it sorted. Phone your dentist and get an appointment sooner. You will feel sooooooooooo much better once its sorted, trust me!

Blimey, you are a better woman than me. I am another who urges you to get some proper treatment. Abcess' shouldn't be lasting that length of time.
I have had many and always had sucess with flagyl as an antibiotic. It is specifically for anaerobic infections.
So something.

get an earlier appointment with dentist!

When I had an abcess (although less severe than yours) they said to put half teaspoon of salt in half a mug of boiling water, let it dissolve, wait for it to cool enough so its still hot but won't burn your mouth, then hold the salt water in your mouth over the wound for 5 mins, 3 times a day, for 2 weeks. I suspect you will need much more treatment than this, but if you cannot get an appointment before tomorrow it might be worth a try. I had to lie sideways on the sofa for iit to go to the right part of my mouth. Its ok to refresh the water in mouth a couple of times within the 5 mins. And be careful its cooled down enough not to burn your mouth!!

try and get to the dentist earlier I had an abcess which burst and ended up in hospital,no too ill mind you but something I could have done without.

Antibiotics alone will not fix it permanently. The tooth is essentially an infected splinter and needs either removing or root canal treatment to clear the source of the infection.