Can a toothache cause a fever? What to do if you have a fever and facial swelling
Toothache on its own doesn't cause a fever; a fever can be a sign that an infection (abscess) has developed at the root of the tooth or in the gum. Throbbing pain is then often accompanied by swelling of the cheek or gum, feeling unwell and a tender lump under the jaw. Painkillers bring the temperature and pain down for a while but don't treat the source of the infection. If you have toothache with a fever, see a dentist the same day or the next day at the latest.
Why might you get a fever with toothache?
When decay reaches the nerve of a tooth, the nerve gradually dies and an infection can develop at the tip of the root. The body may respond to this infection with a fever. A similar picture can be seen with gum inflammation around a partly erupted wisdom tooth and with advanced gum disease.
What these infections have in common is that they don't fully clear until the source is dealt with. Even if the pain eases for a few days, the infection can carry on quietly. We explain more in dental abscess and facial swelling and wisdom tooth gum infection.
What to do, depending on your symptoms
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Brief twinges with hot or cold; no fever | Sensitivity or early decay | Book an appointment within a few days |
| Throbbing pain, worse at night; no fever | Inflamed nerve | Examination within a day or two |
| Pain + mild fever + swollen gum | Dental abscess | Examination the same or next day |
| Swelling around a wisdom tooth, difficulty opening the mouth | Pericoronitis | Examination the same or next day |
| Swelling spreading to the eye or neck, trouble swallowing or breathing, high fever | Spreading infection | Go to A&E without waiting |
What you can do at home until you see a dentist
- You can take painkillers at the dose on the leaflet; paracetamol and ibuprofen also bring a temperature down. We explain which may suit you in which painkiller is best for toothache.
- Drink plenty of fluids and rest.
- Apply a cold compress to the outside of the cheek, on and off.
- Don't put heat on the swelling, as it can help the infection spread.
- Don't put aspirin on the gum; it burns the tissue.
- Don't try to burst the swelling with a needle or your fingers.
Do you need antibiotics?
Antibiotics are a decision for the dentist after an examination, when there are signs of the infection spreading or a fever and feeling generally unwell. The real treatment is clearing the source of the infection: draining the abscess, root canal treatment or, if necessary, removing the tooth. Starting an old course of antibiotics you have at home can temporarily mask the problem and delay treatment. We cover this in detail in do antibiotics and painkillers cure toothache.
Teeth and fever in children
A baby's temperature may rise slightly while teething, but a high fever shouldn't be put down to teething and should be checked by a doctor. See teething in babies. In older children, an abscess from a decayed baby tooth can also cause a fever and a swollen cheek; even though it's a baby tooth, it needs treatment. See baby bottle tooth decay.
Is a fever normal after a tooth extraction?
A slight rise in temperature can occur on the first day after an extraction. If pain gets worse a few days later and comes with a fever, a bad smell or a bad taste, let your dentist know. We describe the usual course of healing in after a tooth extraction and dry socket.
Same-day appointments in Beylikdüzü
Dent32 is open seven days a week. If you call with toothache and a fever or facial swelling, we try to see you at the earliest possible time. For nights and public holidays, see emergency dentists in Beylikdüzü.
Dent32 is at Barış Mah., Ginza Lavinya, E-5 Yanyolu No:30 D:179, 34520 Beylikdüzü, Istanbul and is open seven days a week. To book, call or WhatsApp +90 555 011 33 68, or use our contact page. At the examination we share the findings, the options and the approximate cost in writing; you are under no obligation to start treatment afterwards.
Frequently asked questions
Can a toothache cause a fever?
Toothache on its own doesn't cause a fever. A fever can mean an infection (abscess) has developed at the root of the tooth or in the gum, which needs an examination.
How long does a fever from a dental abscess last?
The fever can keep coming back until the source of the infection is cleared. Once the abscess is drained or root canal treatment has started, it usually settles within a day or two.
Are painkillers enough for a toothache with fever?
Painkillers lower the temperature and pain for a while, but they don't treat the infection. You should see a dentist the same day or the next day at the latest.
My face is swollen from a tooth. Can I use a warm compress?
Don't put heat on the swelling. A cold compress on the outside of the cheek, on and off, can help; if the swelling spreads to the eye or neck, go to A&E without waiting.
Do babies get a fever when teething?
Their temperature may rise slightly; a high fever shouldn't be put down to teething and should be checked by a doctor.
