Healthcare
Toothache or Gum Swelling: What Can Wait and What Cannot
Can a toothache wait?
Sometimes. Healthdirect says that if a toothache lasts more than 2 days, or doesn’t improve with pain-relief medicine, you should see your dentist as soon as possible. Many mild toothaches do settle, and getting into a dentist can take time, which is why that 2-day line matters. It tells you when waiting stops being a good idea.
This article is general information for anyone with a toothache or gum swelling. It isn’t a diagnosis, and it doesn’t replace seeing a dentist.
What if I think it’s an abscess?
See a dentist or a doctor urgently. Healthdirect describes an abscess as a painful, pus-filled swelling caused by infection around a tooth, and it says an abscess won’t get better on its own.
The signs Healthdirect lists include:
- pain
- swelling in the face, cheek or gums
- redness and warmth
- a bad taste in the mouth
- a loose tooth
- fever
You won’t have all of them. If you have a few, or if you aren’t sure, ring the dentist and say you think it might be an abscess.
When is it an emergency?
Swelling that affects your breathing or swallowing is an emergency. Call triple zero. If you’re not sure how serious it is, Healthdirect’s nurse line is 1800 022 222.
What might it be, and what do I do?
This table lists common signs and what each can mean. It isn’t a diagnosis. For every row the next step is the same: see a dentist, and tell them how long it has been going on.
| Sign | What it can mean | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Pain when biting, or a visible hole | Tooth decay | See a dentist, and say how long it has been happening |
| Bleeding, swollen gums or bad breath | Gum disease | See a dentist, and say how long it has been happening |
| A sharp twinge with hot or cold | Sensitive teeth | See a dentist, and say how long it has been happening |
| Pain when biting, especially after an injury | A cracked tooth | See a dentist, and say how long it has been happening |
| Jaw pain or flat-looking teeth | Grinding your teeth | See a dentist, and say how long it has been happening |
The exceptions are the ones above. A toothache that lasts more than 2 days or won’t respond to pain relief needs a dentist as soon as possible. A suspected abscess needs one urgently. Swelling that affects breathing or swallowing means triple zero.
What do I say when I ring?
Have four things ready:
- When the pain started.
- What makes it worse.
- Whether there’s any swelling or fever.
- Whether you’ve taken pain relief, and whether it helped.
Those four notes give the person on the phone something to work with. If any of them is a worry, say so straight away.
What if I can’t get in quickly?
Say so on the phone, and say what’s happening. Swelling, a bad taste or a fever are the details that change how quickly a dentist will want to see you, so lead with them. Healthdirect says a suspected abscess needs a dentist or a doctor urgently, so a doctor is an option if you can’t reach a dentist.
If you aren’t sure whether what you have is serious, the Healthdirect nurse line on 1800 022 222 can talk it through. Keep the 2-day line in mind while you wait. A toothache that lasts past it, or doesn’t respond to pain relief, is the point at which you should be pushing for an earlier appointment.
Does it matter for the rest of my health?
It can. Healthdirect says poor dental health can increase the chance of long-term conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. That’s one more reason not to leave a persistent problem in your mouth for weeks.
The two-day rule
Two days of toothache, or toothache that pain relief doesn’t touch: ring a dentist and ask to be seen as soon as possible. Any swelling in the face, cheek or gums, or a bad taste along with a fever: ring today and say you think it could be an abscess. Swelling that interferes with breathing or swallowing: triple zero.
If none of that fits and the ache is mild, it still helps to write down when it started, so you know when you reach the 2-day mark.
Sources: Healthdirect Australia, “Toothache and gum swelling” (https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/toothache-and-gum-swelling); Healthdirect Australia, “Tooth abscess” (https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/tooth-abscess)