Can I Go To The Dentist With A Sore Throat? Your Essential Guide & What To Do

Table of Contents

Introduction: My Real-Life Dilemma at the Dentist

If you’re like me, keeping your dentist visits feels like checking off an important thing on your self-care list—until life gets tricky, like waking up with a sore throat the day you have to go. It’s happened to me more than once. I remember one morning I woke up with a scratchy throat and no energy, but I had a cleaning later that day. Do I go? Should I stay home? What would my dentist say?

Hundreds of times, people have called dental offices—mine too—asking, “Can I still come in?” I’ve made that worried call, too. Here’s what I learned from dentists like Dr. Joe Dental and from my own life. Let’s break down when you should go to the dentist with a sore throat, when to skip it, and when it really depends.

The General Rule: When To Definitely Reschedule Your Dental Appointment

From what I’ve learned and after many chats with pros, there’s a simple rule: if you’re not sure, pick safety. Most dentists—including Dr. Joe Dental, who checked this advice—say you should always move your appointment if your sore throat might mean you’re sick with something that spreads.

When to Cancel Right Away

If my symptoms fall into any of these, I always cancel (and I hope you do too):

• Fever and Chills: Not a little thing—these are big signs that you might have something caught by others.
• Lots of Coughing or Sneezing: If I can’t stop coughing or sneezing, I know I could spread germs everywhere, even on the people working there.
• Runny Nose or Blocked Nose: Imagine lying back with your mouth open and struggling to breathe through your nose—not fun.
• Hard to Breathe or Swallow: Dental work isn’t safe or comfortable if I already can’t do these things.
• Aches or Really Tired: If I feel so bad that just sitting still is too much, my body just needs a break.
• Throwing Up or Diarrhea: Any tummy trouble usually means “stay home.”

Last winter, I got strep throat—my throat was burning and swallowing hurt a lot. I called and cancelled my appointment. My dentist thanked me! That’s because strep and other things like the flu or even COVID-19 can spread fast, especially in a place where you open your mouth wide, like a dentist’s office.

Some Illnesses That Mean Stay Home

• Strep Throat: This one spreads easily and you often need medicine before you can go back out.
• Flu: The flu can really set you back and spreads quickly—stay home til you’re better.
• COVID-19: The rules are very strict—any signs at all, don’t go and follow the rules about staying away from others.
• Common Cold: If it’s just mild, you might be ok, but if there’s coughing or fever, skip it.
• Mono: The exhaustion and the risk of spreading it make it best to wait.
• Don’t Know What’s Wrong: If I just feel super off, I always call and don’t risk it.

The main thing: If you say “yes” to any of these, don’t go in. Even if I feel a little guilty, dentists always tell me they like that I was honest for everyone’s health.

When It Might Be Okay To Attend (With Caution and Communication)

Not all sore throats are the same. Sometimes you wake up with a little sore throat because of allergies, dry air, or yelling at a game. I’ve had this too. That time, I didn’t have a fever or cough—just a dry, scratchy throat. Here’s what I do then.

Sore Throat with No Other Signs of Being Sick

• Allergies
• Post-nasal drip
• Dry air (winter heat, anyone?)
• Talking or Yelling too much: Like after lots of video calls

If I only have a little sore throat (no fever, no cough, no runny nose, not feeling super tired), I still call the office. I’m honest about my symptoms. Sometimes, they ask, “Are you sure it’s not a cold or something catchy?” If not, they usually say it’s fine for me to come in if I’m feeling okay.

Always call first. Every office is different, and since COVID-19, a lot have more rules about having any symptoms at all.

Dental Emergencies: When You Should Go

Once, when my tooth hurt and my throat felt sore, I got really worried—it felt like something serious. If I have:

• Super bad tooth pain
• Swollen jaw or face
• Can’t open my mouth much
• Bleeding that won’t stop

Don’t wait! Even with a sore throat, I call, explain all my symptoms, and let the dentist decide. Sometimes they put me in my own room or send me to an emergency clinic, but they always make sure I’m safe.

Why Your Dental Office Prefers You Reschedule When Sick

From all my visits and talks with people who work in dental offices, here’s why your dentist probably wants you to stay home when you feel sick—even if it’s just a sore throat.

For Your Health (and Comfort)

Let’s be real—leaning back with your mouth wide open while your throat hurts is pretty awful. Coughing or having a stuffy nose can make cleanings feel even worse. Once, I went in with a cold and couldn’t stop choking during a cleaning. Not fun.

Plus, your body needs all its energy to get better. Dental work, especially longer procedures, can be hard if your body is busy fighting off sickness.

So Nobody Else Gets Sick

Dental work makes tiny droplets in the air that can carry germs and spread them around the room. If I’m sick, I might get my dentist, the helpers, and even the next patient sick—maybe even someone who really can’t handle getting sick.

It’s not just about being polite. The whole dental office tries to keep things clean, uses masks and gloves, and checks if people are sick. But the simplest way to stop germs from spreading is to just stay home if you aren’t feeling well.

What To Do If You Develop a Sore Throat Before Your Dental Appointment

This stumped me before. Here’s the plan I use now—what I wish I knew earlier.

1. Check Your Symptoms

Ask yourself:

• Do I have a fever?
• Am I coughing, sneezing, or stuffed up?
• Do I feel super tired?
• Is my sore throat just a tiny itch, or does it really hurt to talk or eat?

2. Call the Dental Office Right Away

Don’t just guess—ask for help. I always call as soon as I notice something, and I’m honest. They’ll ask about how bad it is and if it could spread to others.

Here’s how it usually goes:

• If it’s just a small sore throat, they might say come in but ask me to wear a mask.
• If I have any bad signs, they just move my appointment, and I don’t have to worry about a fee.
• If it’s a dental emergency (pain, swelling), they will make sure I get care safely—or tell me where to go.

3. Tell the Truth

Never try to hide that you are sick to just get your dentist visit done. When I’ve been honest, the staff have thanked me—it keeps everyone safe!

4. Expect Them to Help You Reschedule

These days, every dentist’s office I’ve been to is understanding. I used to be worried I’d get in trouble for canceling, but most places have rules just for when people get sick. Lots won’t even charge a fee for last-minute changes.

Common Sore Throat Causes and Their Impact on Dental Visits

I didn’t always know that not every sore throat meant skipping the dentist. Now, I know better. Here’s what I’ve found about what causes sore throats, with advice from Dr. Joe Dental.

Viral Infections (Cold, Flu, COVID-19)

• Spread easily. Always reschedule.
• Wait until you’re feeling better and not able to spread germs—usually a day or two after any fever is gone (that’s what the CDC and ADA say).

Bacterial Infections (Strep Throat, Tonsillitis)

• Also spread easily.
• Take medicine as told by your doctor. Don’t go back for dental care until your doctor says it’s safe (often a day after antibiotics).

Allergies or Post-Nasal Drip

• Usually not spreadable if there’s no fever, aches, or cough.
• I double-check with the office, just to make sure.

Acid Reflux or Yelling Too Much

• Not spreadable—usually safe for the dentist.
• If I’m worried about being uncomfortable during my visit, I ask the dentist for tips to make it easier.

When Your Sore Throat Is a Dental Issue (And Needs a Fast Call)

Here’s a surprise—not all sore throats come from being sick. Sometimes, a sore throat means something is wrong with your teeth or mouth. When I notice these, I call the office right away.

Tooth or Gum Infection

• If I have pain, swelling, throbbing, pus, or even a fever, my sore throat could be from an infected tooth or gum. This needs fast help—don’t wait!
• Once I thought it was just a cold, but my dentist said it could have gotten much worse if I hadn’t come in.

Problems with Wisdom Teeth

• Swollen jaw or throat, trouble swallowing, and pain can mean wisdom teeth are stuck.
• If chewing or opening my mouth hurts, I tell my dentist soon.

Mouth Sores

• A canker sore or other mouth problem can give you a sore throat.
• If it lasts more than a week or is getting worse, I call and ask for a check.

What I’ve Learned: Real Answers to Big Questions

My years in and around the dentist’s chair—everything from easy cleanings to work with a crown and bridge lab or even talking to teams at a china dental lab—have shown me people all have the same big questions:

“Am I Contagious? Will I Get Someone Else Sick?”

If you have a fever, cough, or you just feel off—almost always, yes. Even if you’re not sure, let your dental office decide.

“Will My Sore Throat Get Worse at the Dentist?”

Sometimes, yes. If your throat already hurts a lot, having your mouth open or the dentist working can make it feel worse—and you might take longer to feel better.

“What If I Have To Cancel Last Minute?”

Every dental team I’ve met cares more about health than about filling their schedule. They don’t want your germs and are glad when people do the safe thing.

“What If It’s Just Allergies?”

Call them first. The staff will help. Most will ask about fever, cough, and if you’ve been around sick people. If it really isn’t something that spreads, you’re probably fine to go.

“What If I Have a Dental Emergency and a Sore Throat?”

Don’t wait and hope for the best. Tell your dentist all your symptoms and follow their advice right away. Emergencies—like infections or really bad pain—usually can’t wait. Some dental offices will keep sick people in a separate room or help you get urgent help somewhere else.

Conclusion: Your Health and the Dentist—Be Safe, Be Honest

After lots of years in and out of the dentist’s chair—and lots of phone calls that started with, “Hey, I woke up with a sore throat…”—here’s what I know for sure:

• When unsure, call your dental office.
• It’s better to move your appointment than to go and get others sick or feel terrible during your visit.
• Tell the truth about your symptoms; the dental team wants you healthy, not just your teeth cleaned.
• If it’s an emergency, don’t wait—your dentist will help you.

Looking out for your health and the health of the people in the office is always the right move. Whether it’s a simple cleaning, a filling, or bigger work at a digital dental lab, thinking about how sick you might be helps keep everyone okay.

Next time you face the “sore throat and dentist” question, remember: you’re not alone. So many people have had to call and were thanked for it. Your mouth—and your dentist—will thank you too.

Checked by Dr. Joe Dental, practicing dentist and teacher in dental care you can trust.