My cracked tooth is causing facial swelling in Albania. Should I wait to see a dentist?

A cracked tooth followed by increasing facial swelling can mean that an infection is

developing around the tooth or gum, and I would not recommend simply waiting several days

when the swelling appears to be spreading.

I would ask when the tooth was cracked, how quickly the swelling has increased, whether

you have fever, and whether you can swallow, breathe, open your mouth, and see normally.

I would also ask what pain medicine or other treatment you have already taken. The location

and progression of the swelling are important when deciding how urgently you need to be

seen.

A dental infection usually needs treatment of the underlying tooth or gum problem, so

medication alone may not solve it. I can help you understand the urgency and what type of

care you should seek, but if you develop difficulty breathing or swallowing, rapidly increasing

facial swelling, swelling around the eye, or severe illness, seek emergency care immediately.