Tooth pain: when is it a dental emergency?
How to respond to toothache, swelling, fever, trauma, or worsening pain and when urgent medical help may be needed.
Tooth pain can come from decay, a crack, gum disease, infection, an erupting tooth, trauma, or another cause. The intensity of pain alone cannot identify the diagnosis.
Arrange a dental assessment
Persistent, severe, or worsening pain should be assessed, especially when it affects sleep or eating. Swelling, a bad taste, pain on biting, a broken tooth, or recent injury are additional reasons to contact a dentist promptly.
Do not wait with serious swelling
Seek emergency medical help if swelling makes it hard to breathe or swallow, spreads rapidly, or is accompanied by serious illness. These symptoms should not be managed only with online advice.
What to do while arranging care
Avoid placing aspirin or caustic home remedies against the tooth or gum. Follow medicine labels and advice from a qualified clinician, and tell the dental team about your symptoms, medical conditions, medicines, allergies, and pregnancy.