In short
- Almost all dental treatment needs an in-person visit, so see a video call as advice and triage.
- A call can help with toothache, swollen gums, questions about a treatment plan or a second view.
- Toothache lasting more than 2 days, or a suspected abscess, needs a dentist to see you.
- Swelling near your eye or neck, or trouble breathing, swallowing or speaking, means 998.
Where a video call helps
- Judging urgency: can this wait for your next check-up, or do you need to be seen this week or today?
- Making sense of a plan: a dentist has suggested a crown or a root canal and you would like it explained.
- Sharing what you see: a photo of a swollen gum, a broken tooth or a mouth ulcer.
- Children’s teeth: questions about teething, or about a child’s first dental visit.
WHO says oral diseases are largely preventable, and that untreated tooth decay in permanent teeth is the most common health condition worldwide. So a dentist’s advice on prevention can be worth having on its own.
What has to happen in the chair
Dentists need to look closely, probe, take X-rays and work on the tooth. That means fillings, root canals, extractions, crowns and cleaning all need a clinic. Gum disease also needs a proper check of your teeth and gums, because treatment depends on how severe it is.
A dental abscess is the clearest example. It will not go away on its own and needs urgent treatment by a dentist. Even if medicine eases the pain, the source of the infection has to be dealt with.
The NHS points out that a medical GP cannot give dental treatment, so a toothache is best taken to a dentist. A video call with a GP will not solve it.
Good photos of your mouth
- Ask someone else to take the photo, using the phone’s flash.
- Pull your lip back with a clean finger, or use the back of a spoon to show the area.
- Take one photo of your whole smile and one close up.
- Note which tooth hurts, what sets it off and how long the pain lasts.
- List any swelling, a high temperature, your medicines and your allergies.
When to see someone today
See a dentist soon if your toothache has lasted more than 2 days, does not go away with painkillers, comes with a high temperature, pain when you bite or a bad taste, or if your cheek or jaw is swollen. Teeth becoming loose, or a lump or red patch in your mouth, also needs prompt attention.
Call 998 or go to an emergency department if the area around your eye or your neck is swollen, or if swelling makes it hard to breathe, swallow or speak. Do not drive yourself.
How this works on medicAI
Dentists appear in the doctor list, with the fee shown on each profile. They practise at independent dental facilities licensed by DHA in Dubai or DoH in Abu Dhabi, and those facilities are responsible for the advice and treatment they give. If you need treatment, ask them where you can be seen in person.
Dentistry doctors on medicAI
Dr. Atif KhanDentist - GP
Dr. ALMA ARMAS VILLANUEVA, GP Dentist - WeCARE Medical Center LLCDentist - GP
Dr. Renju Parakatu Varghese, Dentist - GP, WeCARE Medical Center LLCDentist - GPKKDr. Kokila KarupagoundkarDentist - GPThese doctors work with independent licensed facilities. See all doctors.
Questions people ask
Can a dentist treat toothache online?
A dentist can advise you and help you judge how urgent it is, but they cannot treat the cause of the pain by video. See a dentist in person if your toothache lasts more than 2 days or does not go away with painkillers.
What should I do about a dental abscess?
See a dentist urgently, because an abscess will not go away on its own. Call 998 or go to an emergency department if you are finding it hard to breathe, speak or swallow, or if your eye is swollen or painful.
Can a dentist prescribe antibiotics by video?
That is the dentist’s clinical decision after assessing you, and it depends on the facility’s scope of practice. Medicine does not replace dental treatment, so expect to be told to see a dentist in person.
Sources and further reading
- Toothache (NHS)
- Dental abscess (NHS)
- Gum disease (NHS)
- Oral health (WHO)
Read next
medicAI is not for emergencies. If someone is seriously ill or injured, call 998 or go to the nearest hospital.
This page is general information. It does not replace advice from a doctor who knows your situation. medicAI is a technology platform. Care is given by independent licensed facilities, who are responsible for it and for its outcome.
