If a problem involves a tooth or the gums, start with a dentist; if it involves breathing, swallowing, spreading swelling or the eye, go to hospital, and many other mouth and face problems can start with either a dentist or a GP. "Should I see a doctor or dentist?" is one of the most common questions patients ask, because the teeth, jaw, sinuses and ears share nerves and pain often travels between them. A hospital emergency department can manage airway risk, pain and IV antibiotics, but it usually cannot fix the tooth that started the problem. This guide sets out who to see first, with one triage table you can come back to.
Key Takeaways
- Call 000 or go to an emergency department for swelling spreading to the eye or neck, difficulty breathing or swallowing, high fever with facial swelling, uncontrolled bleeding or major facial injury. See when to go to hospital for a dental problem.
- Jaw pain that comes with chest pain or left arm pain can be a heart attack symptom: call 000.
- Toothache, broken teeth, gum swelling, dental abscess, wisdom tooth pain and jaw clenching usually start with a dentist.
- Cold sores, sinusitis, ear infections and blood tests for recurrent ulcers usually start with a GP.
- Mouth ulcers or patches lasting more than about 2 to 3 weeks should be checked by either a dentist or a GP.
- If you are unsure, healthdirect on 1800 022 222 offers 24-hour nurse advice anywhere in Australia.
When to Call 000 or Go to Hospital
Some mouth and face problems are medical emergencies first and dental problems second. Call 000 or go straight to an emergency department if you have:
- Swelling that is spreading towards the eye, down the neck or under the tongue
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing, or you cannot swallow your own saliva
- A high fever together with facial swelling
- Bleeding from the mouth that will not stop with firm pressure
- A major facial injury, or a jaw that may be broken or will not close properly
- Jaw pain with chest pain, left arm pain or breathlessness, as jaw pain can be a symptom of a heart attack
Hospital teams can protect the airway, give IV antibiotics and control pain. What they usually cannot do is treat the tooth itself, so once you are stable, a dentist still needs to deal with the source of the infection. Our guide to facial swelling and spreading dental infection explains why this matters.
If It Involves a Tooth or the Gums, Start With a Dentist; If It Involves Breathing, Swallowing or the Eye, Go to Hospital
This single rule covers most situations. A dentist has the equipment, X-rays and training to find and treat a problem in a tooth, the gums or the bite. A GP is often better placed for viral infections, sinus and ear problems and anything that may be part of a wider health condition. A hospital is the place for anything that threatens breathing, swallowing or vision, or for serious injury.
Where it is unclear, starting with either a dentist or a GP is reasonable. A good clinician on either side will tell you if the problem belongs with the other, and dentists and GPs refer to each other regularly.
Who to See: A Symptom Triage Table
Use this table as a general guide. It does not replace advice from a clinician who has examined you.
| Symptom | Usually start with | Go to hospital if |
|---|---|---|
| Toothache or pain when biting | Dentist | Swelling spreads to the eye, neck or under the tongue, or you have a high fever |
| Swollen gum or suspected dental abscess | Dentist, ideally the same day | Swelling spreads, or breathing or swallowing becomes difficult |
| Broken tooth or lost filling | Dentist | There is a major facial injury or bleeding that will not stop |
| Wisdom tooth pain | Dentist | You cannot swallow, or swelling is spreading |
| Jaw pain, clicking or clenching | Dentist | Jaw pain comes with chest pain, left arm pain or breathlessness (call 000) |
| Ache in several upper back teeth with a blocked nose | GP, or dentist if unsure | Swelling around the eye, or high fever with facial swelling |
| Earache with jaw or tooth pain | GP or dentist | High fever with facial swelling |
| Cold sore on the lip | GP or pharmacist | Not usually needed |
| Ulcer from a sharp tooth, braces or a denture | Dentist | Not usually needed |
| Ulcer or patch lasting more than 2 to 3 weeks | Dentist or GP | Not usually needed |
| Recurrent ulcers with tiredness or gut symptoms | GP | Not usually needed |
| Facial injury or suspected broken jaw | Hospital | Always for major trauma, a jaw that will not close properly or uncontrolled bleeding |
Problems a Dentist Usually Handles
If the pain or swelling seems to come from a tooth, the gums or the way your teeth bite together, a dentist is the right first stop. This includes:
- Toothache, sensitivity and pain on biting
- Broken teeth, lost fillings and damaged crowns
- Gum swelling, bleeding gums and dental abscesses
- Wisdom tooth pain and swelling around a partly erupted tooth
- Jaw clicking, clenching and grinding
- Denture sores and ulcers caused by sharp teeth or braces
- White or red patches in the mouth, where a dentist or GP are both reasonable first stops
Jaw pain deserves a special mention. Most one-sided jaw pain comes from the jaw joint, the chewing muscles or a back tooth, and our article on jaw pain on one side covers the common causes. The exception is jaw pain with chest or arm symptoms, which needs 000, not a dental appointment. For urgent toothache, a broken tooth or swelling that has not reached the danger signs above, an emergency dental appointment is usually the quickest path to treating the cause.
Problems a GP Usually Handles
Sinus pain that feels like toothache
The roots of the upper back teeth sit close to the maxillary sinuses, so sinus congestion can make those teeth ache. Pain across several upper teeth at once, worse when you bend forward and coming with a blocked nose, points more towards the sinus than a single tooth. Our guide to sinus toothache and referred pain explains how to tell the difference. If the ache stays in one tooth after the congestion clears, see a dentist.
Cold sores and viral infections
Cold sores are caused by a virus and usually appear on or around the lips. A GP or pharmacist can advise on treatment, and a pharmacist can also give short-term pain relief advice. Cold sores are often confused with mouth ulcers, which are not contagious; our article on cold sores vs mouth ulcers sets out the differences.
Ear infections and wider health checks
Ear pain can come from the jaw joint or a back tooth, but ear infections are a GP matter. A GP is also the right place for blood tests when ulcers keep coming back, for skin and autoimmune conditions that affect the mouth, and for a review of medicines that may be causing dry mouth or other changes.
When Either a Dentist or a GP Is Fine
Some problems sit between the two professions, and either is a sensible first stop. The most common is a mouth ulcer or patch that is not healing. Any ulcer or patch that lasts more than about 2 to 3 weeks should be examined, whoever you see first. Our guide to mouth ulcers and when to worry lists the signs that need prompt attention.
Facial pain without an obvious cause, a change in taste, or a burning feeling in the mouth can also start with either. The first clinician will examine you, consider the likely causes and refer on if needed. If it is after hours and you are unsure how urgent the problem is, healthdirect on 1800 022 222 can give 24-hour nurse advice and point you to the right service.
Common Questions
Should I see a doctor or dentist for jaw pain?
Start with a dentist for most jaw pain, especially clicking, clenching, pain near a back tooth or pain when chewing. If jaw pain comes with chest pain, left arm pain or breathlessness, call 000, as it can be a sign of a heart attack.
How can I tell if it is sinus pain or a tooth?
Sinus pain usually affects several upper back teeth at once, is worse when bending forward and comes with congestion. Pain that stays in one tooth, lingers after hot or cold, or hurts sharply on biting points more towards a tooth, so see a dentist.
Can a hospital emergency department fix a toothache?
An emergency department can manage pain, serious infection and airway risk, but it usually cannot treat the tooth itself. You will still need a dentist to remove the source of the problem, so book an appointment as soon as you can after a hospital visit.
Should I see a dentist or doctor for a mouth ulcer?
Either is fine as a first stop. A dentist is well placed if the ulcer sits near a sharp tooth, brace or denture, while a GP can arrange blood tests if ulcers keep coming back; any ulcer lasting more than 2 to 3 weeks should be checked.
What should I do if a dental problem happens after hours?
Go to an emergency department or call 000 for any of the danger signs, such as spreading swelling or trouble breathing or swallowing. For everything else, healthdirect on 1800 022 222 can give 24-hour nurse advice, and you can book in with a dentist at the next available appointment.
Getting Dental Problems Checked at Lumi Dental
When the problem involves a tooth, the gums, the bite or a sore inside the mouth, the team at Lumi Dental in Melrose Park can examine it, take X-rays where needed and explain the options. If something belongs with your GP or a hospital team, the team will say so and help you get there. To book, see the general dentistry page, and check current deals before your visit.
