Can You Go to the Dentist With a Cold?

Keeping your dental appointments is important for your dental health. But if you wake up not feeling well on the day of your appointment, should you go to the dentist with a cold? Sitting in the dentist's chair with a stuffy nose makes it difficult to breathe while the dentist examines your mouth. However, rescheduling can push your appointment back several months, depending on the dentist's schedule. 

With over 200 viruses causing common cold infections, it is certainly possible for an illness to overlap with your dental appointment.[1] Setting guidelines for determining when you should reschedule due to illness helps you make a decision on the day of your dental appointment when you are feeling under the weather.

Understanding the Risks

Illnesses can pop up out of nowhere, even if you rarely get sick. Through work, school, and other functions, you can pick up germs from someone else and not even know it until your head starts throbbing or you feel a tickle in your throat. While you can't help getting sick sometimes, you can be sure not to spread it to someone else. 

But the big dilemma is when you consider how missing a dental appointment could affect your oral health. You do not want to skip a dentist's appointment unless there is no other option. Knowing the risks of going to a dentist visit with a cold can help you determine if you should cancel the appointment. 

Risks that could occur if you go to the dentist with a cold include:

• Increased discomfort.

• Difficulty breathing.

• Spreading the illness to the dentist and staff.

• Spreading the illness in the waiting room.

• Exacerbating the cold symptoms if you are anxious at a dentist's visit.

Other factors to consider are:

• What kind of dental appointment is it — a routine cleaning or a restorative operation? A quick dental exam is different than having a filling done. In terms of how long the dentist's hands are in your mouth, your ability to breathe out of your nose could be more troublesome the longer the procedure takes.

• Do you have an immune-compromised condition? If so, recovering from a dental procedure while having a cold could result in a slow recovery.

• How severe are your symptoms? A stuffy nose is less severe than a cough with a fever.

Rescheduling Appointments

If your illness starts a few days before your appointment, you can call your dentist and see what they recommend if you aren't feeling better on the day of your appointment. Your dentist's office may even have a certain protocol they follow when they know a patient is coming in with a cold. Calling ahead of time gives them time to make those arrangements. 

If you do not feel well enough to go in or you are concerned about being contagious, call and explain your illness to the office receptionist as soon as you realize you can't make the appointment. 

Guidelines for Dental Visits

If you choose to go to your appointment, there are several things you can do to keep the spread of germs to a minimum. A few tips include:

• Communicate to the dental hygienist and dentist about all your symptoms.

• Use tissues when you cough or sneeze.

• Use hand sanitizer after coughing or sneezing.

• Try your best to avoid touching surfaces that the dental staff or other patients may come in contact with. 

When is it safe to visit?

While coughs and congestion can linger for up to two weeks, the first two or three days are when you are the most contagious. If you have had a cold for several days, your cold is generally on the way out. With basic precautions to keep germs from spreading, you can feel safe to visit the dentist. 

Self-Care Tips

Taking care of yourself when you are down with a cold includes plenty of rest and taking steps to relieve symptoms. Stuffy noses and sore throats make it difficult to breathe. While a cold can make you feel like you don't want to do anything but rest, maintaining your oral health is still important. Even if you don't feel up to it, continue to brush your teeth in the morning and evening. 

Oral Hygiene During Illness

A few ways, besides brushing your teeth, to make sure your oral hygiene doesn't slip when you have a cold include:

• Stay hydrated. Water rinses bacteria out of your mouth while also hydrating your mouth. Dry mouth causes several oral complications and can result from mouth breathing because of your stuffy nose.

• Stay away from lozenges with sugar. Bacteria feed on sugar, turning it into acid that can cause tooth decay.

• Toss your old toothbrush. Buy a new one after you are well to avoid getting re-infected.

Cold Symptoms During a Dental Appointment

If you decide that your symptoms are keeping you from your dental appointment, be sure to call and let the office know as soon as possible. Reschedule your doctor's visit for the next available time to keep your oral health in good shape.

Dental Visits and Colds FAQs

Can I go to the dentist with a cold?

Yes, but depending on the severity of your symptoms, you may not want to, or you may be contagious. In the U.S., colds are the number one reason why patients go to the doctor.[1] It may be best to call your dentist before you arrive at your appointment to discuss whether you should show up or reschedule.

Should I tell my dentist I have a cold?

Yes, let your dentist's office know you have a cold before coming to your appointment. They may have a sick policy or protocol, so a heads-up will always be appreciated.  

Can I go to the dentist with a sore throat?

While sore throats are painful, you can still go to the dentist. However, you should stay home if you have a highly contagious sore throat like strep throat that can be easily passed to your dental hygienist or dentist. 

Will I have to pay a fee if I need to cancel my dentist appointment for illness?

Cancellation fees are determined by each individual dental office. However, if you are contagious, you may be able to get the fee waived. Letting your dentist know sooner rather than later will improve your odds of not having to pay a cancellation fee.  

What should I do if I have a dental emergency and a cold?

While colds are temporary, ignoring a dental emergency could result in permanent damage. If you have a dental emergency, call your dentist right away so they can advise you on what to do next. If you are in pain from a tooth infection, your dentist can prescribe a pain medicine or antibiotic to greatly relieve the pain. 

What happens if I cough or sneeze during a dental procedure?

Another reason why it is essential to tell the dentist about your congestion is so you can decide on a way to signal that you are about to cough or sneeze during an exam. If you feel the cough or sneeze coming on, you quickly let the dental hygienist or dentist know with a hand signal or sound so they can pause the procedure until you are ready to continue.