What is Considered a Dental Emergency?

The American Dental Association and the Tennessee Dental Association have recommended that non-emergency dental care be postponed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Per a recent executive order signed by TN Governor Bill Lee, Cumberland Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics will remain open only for dental emergencies until May 1, 2020, or until further notice. Normal operating hours and routine dental care will resume after the order has been lifted. You can read the most up-to-date information here.

We understand that some dental issues just cannot wait.  If you are a patient of record, you are welcome to call your local CPDO clinic where a member of our dental team can answer questions you have about a dental issue. If you’re able to take a picture of the patient’s mouth, our doctors will be better able to assess whether the patient will need emergency dental treatment.

So, what is a dental emergency?

The American Dental Association has provided the following guidelines for determining what is or isn’t a dental emergency.

Emergency dental care that you should seek care for at this time:

• Bleeding that doesn’t stop
• Painful swelling in or around your mouth
• Pain in a tooth, teeth or jaw bone
• Gum infection with pain or swelling
• After surgery treatment (dressing change, stitch removal)
• Broken or knocked out tooth
• Abnormal tissue growth
• Snipping or adjusting wire of braces that hurts your cheek or gums

Non-emergency dental care you can reschedule for another time:

• Regular visits for exams, cleanings and x-rays
• Regular visits for braces
• Removal of teeth that aren’t painful
• Treatment of cavities that aren’t painful
• Tooth whitening