What is a Dental Emergency?

Woman with tooth pain, dental emergency inquiry.

The ADA recognizes that members of the public have questions about whether they should continue to visit
their dentist during the COVID-19 pandemic. Because the ADA is currently recommending dentists close
their offices to all but emergency care, we have provided guidelines to help patients determine when to
consult with their dentist as to whether care should be rescheduled. When in doubt, please call your dentist
to determine the best course of action.

  • 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
  • Dental care that you should
    have taken care of by a
    dentist     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
  • Denture adjustment for people
    receiving radiation or other treatment
    for cancer
  • Snipping or adjusting wire of braces
    that hurts your cheek or gums
  • Biopsy of abnormal tissue
For more information, visit MouthHealthy.org/virus.