Can You Go to the Dentist with a Cold? Expert Advice on When to Reschedule (and When Not To)

Have you ever felt sick just before a dentist visit and asked yourself, “Should I still go?” This article explains, in simple language, if you should keep your dental appointment when you have a cold. You’ll find out about possible health risks, dentist office rules, and what happens if you have a dental emergency. Learn what experts say and get easy tips so you can make the right choice for you and others.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction: Why This Question Matters

You’re all set for a cleaning or maybe a filling, but now you have a runny nose or a cough, or even a sore throat. Should you push through and go? Or is it better if you stay home? I’ve been in this spot, and a lot of people wonder the same thing. How you feel, how well your treatment goes, and the safety of other people in the dentist’s office all matter.

Taking care of your teeth is important, but making the smart call when you’re sick helps everyone. Let’s talk through what you need to know, so you won’t have to guess next time.

2. What Happens If You Go to the Dentist with a Cold?

Here’s what can happen if you show up to your appointment feeling sick. When you have a cold, your body is already working hard to fight off germs. If you lay back in the dental chair and your nose is plugged up, you may have trouble breathing. You might end up coughing or sneezing a lot during your visit. That means your dentist has to stop a lot, and the whole visit takes longer and is less pleasant for both of you.

One time, my own son had a runny nose at his cleaning. He coughed so much that the dental worker had to stop a bunch. The visit took almost twice as long and left him wiped out. It wasn’t much fun for anyone!

Most dental workers say you should reschedule if you’re sick with something that spreads easily, like a cold, the flu, or COVID-19. They do this to keep you comfortable and everyone else safe.

3. How Do Colds Spread at the Dental Office?

You might not know how easily germs travel at the dentist. Dental visits need people to get up close. You might have the dentist and dental helper right up near your face.

Most colds are from viruses, such as rhinovirus or the flu. Tiny wet bits fly into the air when you sneeze, cough, or even talk. These drops can land on dental tools, counters, and even other people—like the assistant or the front desk worker.

Dental offices scrub and use gloves and masks, but no system is perfect. When a lot of sick people come in during cold and flu season, the risk goes up—especially for people who have weaker bodies, like kids, older folks, or anyone with asthma or long-term illness.

4. Does Having a Cold Make Dental Work Harder?

People sometimes ask if being sick makes dental treatment tougher. The answer is usually yes! Here’s why:

• Breathing gets tough. If your nose is stuffed up, lying down for treatment can make you anxious or squirmy.
• Medicines for a cold (like nose sprays or pills) can make your mouth dry, which can make some dental work feel worse.
• Your gag reflex kicks in more if you have a drippy throat. That makes things like X-rays, molds, or tools in your mouth harder.
• Sometimes, if you’re really stuffed up, numbing medicine may not work as well, but this isn’t very common.

My dentist once told me it’s really hard to do tricky things, like root canals or crown work, if someone can’t sit still or keeps coughing. They want you to get the best result, and that means showing up healthy!

5. Is It Safe for Others at the Dental Office?

Think about everyone, not just you. If you go sick, you could spread your germs to the workers, other patients, or someone waiting who’s already at risk.

Dentists, hygienists, and helpers see lots of people every day. If you bring a cold, the bug can spread to many others. Folks who are less healthy—pregnant women, little kids, and older adults—are at extra risk.

Dental clinics clean and wear gloves and masks. Some even have rules for sick patients or offer phone appointments. But the best thing is to keep your germs at home if you can.

6. Can You Go If Your Symptoms Are Mild?

Not every cold is the same. What if you only have a small sniffle or are almost better? It depends on how you feel:

• If you have just a runny nose, no fever, and you feel okay
• No coughing, sneezing, or other big signs
• The visit is short and simple—like a checkup or quick talk

It might be fine to keep the appointment. But always call your dental office first to see what they say. They’ll be glad you asked and may still want you to wait a day or two.

But if you have a fever, sore throat, cough, headache, or just feel bad, stay home. It won’t help you or anyone else to push through. Waiting is the safer thing for everyone.

7. What About Dental Emergencies?

What if you have a dental emergency, like bad pain, swelling, or a broken tooth—plus a cold? Should you skip it?

This is one time you should not wait if you truly can’t! Call your dentist right away and tell them about both your urgent tooth problem and your cold. The dentist might set up special hours, wear extra gear, or even offer a phone check if possible.

Here’s what could happen:

• The dental team might ask you to wear a mask or wait in a different area.
• For big emergencies, they could send you to a clinic that sees sick people.
• For small problems, they might give you advice over the phone to get you by until you feel better.

Dental emergencies can’t wait, so don’t skip care for pain or swelling just because you’re sick.

Expert advice from Dr. Joe Dental: “Always call ahead, explain what’s going on, and do what your dental office says. We want to help, even if you’re sick.”

8. What to Tell Your Dentist When You’re Sick

You may want to keep your cold quiet and go anyway. But telling your dentist is the best way to keep everyone safe and get the right care. When you call or check in, tell the front desk or assistant how you feel.

Describe your signs as simply as you can: Do you cough, feel stuffed up, have a fever, or sore throat? How long? Are you getting better or worse?

Being honest lets the clinic:

• Give you safe tips
• Change the schedule or clean-up routines
• Get ready for special steps if you really have to come in

Many clinics don’t charge cancel fees for sick people. You won’t be in trouble for doing the right thing!

9. How Do Dental Offices Handle Sick Patients?

Dentist clinics now are extra careful. Here’s what you might see or be asked if you’re sick or just getting over it:

• Health questions: Some offices ask about illness before you arrive or check for fever at the door.
• More cleaning: Tools, chairs, and counters get scrubbed a lot.
• Masks and gloves: Dentists wear these for all visits.
• Different waiting spots: Some offices have separate spaces or set aside certain times for sick or at-risk patients.
• Phone or video visits: If they can, your dentist may talk to you online to decide the best next move.

From my own visits, I know dental teams care about keeping you and everyone else safe. They want you to talk to them and will explain their rules.

10. Tips for Staying Healthy at the Dentist

Whether you have a cold, are worried about catching something, or just want to be safe, here’s what you can do:

• Wash your hands before and after the visit.
• Wear a mask in the waiting room if you’re sick or just getting better.
• Bring tissues for sneezing or coughing.
• If you’re a little stuffed up, ask if you can sit up straighter in the chair.
• Drink water before and after your visit.
• Take your normal cold meds, but tell the dentist what you took.

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11. When Should You Definitely Reschedule?

Some signs mean you should not go to the dentist. Change your visit and stay home if you:

• Have a fever (100.4°F/38°C or more)
• Are coughing a lot or can’t breathe well
• Have body aches, headache, and feel weak
• Are sneezing all the time or have a sore throat
• Have any bad signs that make the visit tough for you or risky for others

Even if the visit matters, safety comes first. Dentists can always help you pick a new day and won’t be mad you waited.

12. What If You’re Getting Over a Cold?

What if you’re almost over your cold? Maybe you have just a tiny sniffle, but no cough or fever, and you feel fine. Most of the time, you can call your dentist to check. Lots of clinics are alright seeing people who are nearly better as long as their signs are small.

But use good sense—if you start feeling bad again or new stuff pops up, it’s smart to wait another day or two. Everyone gets better at their own speed.

If your dental work includes special jobs—like crowns, bridges, or dental implants—choose a high-quality china dental lab your dentist trusts that follows all the best cleaning steps for peace of mind.

13. Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is it okay to go to the dentist with just a stuffy nose?

A: If you only have a mild blocked nose and you feel good, call your dentist to check. Most times, it’s fine, especially if you’re not sneezing or coughing.

Q: Will I be charged for rescheduling if I’m sick?

A: Many dental offices now skip the cancel fee for sick people, but always call early, tell the truth, and say why.

Q: What if I take cold medicine before my appointment?

A: Some cold meds (nose sprays, allergy pills) make your mouth dry or might make you sleepy, but they won’t mess up most simple dental care if you feel okay. Always tell your dentist what you’ve taken.

Q: How can my dentist help during a dental emergency if I’m sick?

A: Dentists can give tips by phone, may send you to urgent care, or give special directions for tough cases. Emergencies come first—don’t skip calling for pain or swelling!

Q: What if I have special dental work, like veneers or night guards?

A: Tell your dentist or dental lab if you have a cold before bringing in or picking up items. This helps them get ready and keep things safe for everyone. If you need a night guard dental lab, call first if you’re not well.

14. Key Points to Remember

• Put off your visit if you have a fever, cough, or feel sick.
• Dental clinics want you to stay home when you’re sick to keep staff and patients safe.
• Always call your dentist with questions or if you feel bad on appointment day.
• Go in person for real dental emergencies, but call the dentist first.
• Tell the truth about your signs—it protects everyone. There’s nothing wrong with waiting.
• Simple things like masks and clean hands help stop germs.
• Ask about online visits if you’re not sure you should go in.
• Pick trusted dental partners, like a crown and bridge lab, for safe care.

Healthy teeth need a healthy body. By following these easy steps and talking with your dental office, you’ll get top care for your mouth—and keep everyone else healthier, too!

Reviewed by Dr. Joe Dental, DDS, Family Dentistry Specialist