Get urgent dental care for severe tooth pain or swelling. Breathing or swallowing difficulty needs emergency help, not a routine booking.
Recognize an emergency
- In Korea, call 119 for difficulty breathing or swallowing, major facial injury, or bleeding that will not stop.
- Seek immediate emergency care for eye swelling with dental symptoms, vision changes, or extensive mouth swelling. Do not wait for a message reply.
Arrange urgent dental care
- Contact a dentist promptly for severe toothache, suspected infection, or a broken or knocked-out tooth. Explain when symptoms started.
- Do not put aspirin on the gum or take leftover antibiotics. Ask a clinician or pharmacist about suitable pain relief while arranging care.
Leave with a clear plan
- Ask whether treatment is temporary and when further dental care is needed.
- Keep the treatment summary, X-rays, medicine list and follow-up contact. Get written instructions for worsening symptoms.
Sources and update
Editorial source check: September 10, 2026. No independent clinical review is claimed.
- NHS — dental abscess
- American Dental Association — dental emergencies
- CDC — antibiotic use
- National Fire Agency — 119
UK and US sources support general health information. Their local rules are not presented as Korean law.
General information. Discuss your care with a qualified clinician.
Med-in-Korea Editorial Team · Editorial policy
