Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Dental Association (ADA) recommend that dental offices postpone elective dental procedures, surgeries, and non-urgent dental visits, and prioritize urgent and emergency visits and procedures until further notice.

Dental emergencies are potentially life-threatening conditions like uncontrolled bleeding, trauma to the face, or infections with facial or mouth swelling that could affect the airway and breathing. Urgent dental care focuses on mouth conditions that require immediate attention to relieve severe pain and/or risk of infection. These include:

• Severe dental pain
• Third-molar (wisdom tooth) pain
• Severe pain three or more days following a tooth extraction
• Abscess with pain and swelling
• Chipped or broken tooth that is painful or causes serious damage to the gum tissue
• Trauma with teeth knocked out or pushed out of place

• Dental treatment required prior to critical medical procedures

• Finishing previously started crown or bridge procedures if the temporary restoration is lost, broken or causing significant gum irritation

• A new lump, bump, red or white patch that does not go away in few days

• Tooth decay or broken fillings causing pain

• Other conditions causing pain, irritation and/or swelling.

If you are experiencing a dental emergency or an urgent dental problem, call your dentist immediately to determine the best course of action. If your dentist’s office is closed, or if you do not have a dentist, please visit your state government’s COVID-19 website to identify emergency care locations.

Delta Dental advises its customers, providers, and others within our communities to follow the CDC’s guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19.