If you’ve got swelling *and* a fever, that’s usually a red flag—especially if the swelling is spreading or it’s hard to swallow.
Sometimes icing helps, but if there’s a fever, waiting can be risky. Did your swelling ever get worse overnight? That’s when things can turn serious pretty fast.“I’ve had mild swelling before and just iced it, but now I’m wondering if that was risky.”
If you’ve got swelling *and* a fever, that’s usually a red flag—especially if the swelling is spreading or it’s hard to swallow.
Wait, so if I wake up and the swelling’s worse, do I just go straight to the ER? Or should I call my dentist first and see what they say? I’m honestly nervous about overreacting but also scared of missing something serious. Has anyone actually had to go to the ER for this?
Wait, so if I wake up and the swelling’s worse, do I just go straight to the ER? Or should I call my dentist first and see what they say?
Honestly, I’ve been in that boat and it’s a tough call. If you’re having trouble swallowing or breathing—like actual “can’t catch your breath” kind of thing—that’s an ER trip, no question. But if it’s just bigger and you’re not feeling super sick otherwise, sometimes calling your dentist can save you a lot of hassle (and money). They usually squeeze you in if you drop the magic words “fever and swelling.”
One time my jaw ballooned up overnight after a busted filling got infected. Called my dentist first thing, but their receptionist legit told me to hit urgent care because they were booked solid. Ended up with antibiotics from urgent care and saw my dentist a couple days later to actually fix the tooth.
Anyone else ever get bounced between places like that? Or had a dentist tell them to go straight to the ER? Just curious how common that is…
Getting bounced around is basically my dental crisis tradition at this point. Last year, I woke up with my face looking like I’d lost a fight with a beehive—major swelling, couldn’t close my mouth right. Figured dentist first, since ER bills make me break out in hives of a different kind. Their office was “fully booked” but said if I started having trouble breathing, to skip them and head straight to the hospital. Not the reassurance I was hoping for.
I ended up at urgent care because it was either that or wait two days (and yes, the co-pay was way less scary than the ER’s). They gave me antibiotics and told me to follow up with my dentist ASAP. It’s like dental hot potato—nobody wants to be the one stuck holding your swollen face if things get dicey.
Honestly, unless you’re feeling actually awful or can’t breathe/swallow, urgent care’s been my wallet-friendly move. But yeah, it can feel like you’re just getting passed along until someone finally fixes it.
It’s like dental hot potato—nobody wants to be the one stuck holding your swollen face if things get dicey.
That’s the most accurate description I’ve heard in ages. I swear, every time my tooth acts up, it’s like a game of “not it” between doctors and dentists. I’ve had more urgent care visits than I care to admit, mostly because my dentist’s idea of an “emergency slot” is apparently two weeks from now.
Honestly, unless I’m drooling uncontrollably or can’t swallow, I just ride it out with urgent care and cross my fingers. Antibiotics usually buy me enough time to get on the dentist’s calendar. ER is a last resort—those bills haunt me worse than any toothache.
One thing I’ve noticed: urgent care folks are way less judgy about your flossing habits. Dentist always gives me that look, like I’ve personally offended them with my gums. At least urgent care just wants to get you stable and send you on your way.
