Call us about tooth pain, swelling, or a damaged tooth. Our team can assess the urgency and explain the next available care.
Severe swelling: swelling affecting your eye or vision, trouble swallowing or breathing, or uncontrolled bleeding requires emergency medical care. Call 911 for trouble breathing or another life-threatening emergency.
Call for dental care: (615) 754-6677(615) 754-6677. Office hours: Monday–Wednesday 7 am–5 pm, Thursday 7 am–3 pm, and Friday 8 am–noon; closed weekends. An after-hours visit or callback is not guaranteed. Do not wait for the office to reopen for a medical emergency.
Knocked-out permanent tooth: handle it by the crown, avoid touching the root, and seek dental care immediately. If it cannot be safely placed back in the socket, keep it moist in milk. Do not put a knocked-out baby tooth back in its socket; contact a dentist promptly.
Toothache: call us promptly for advice. Do not place aspirin on the gums. Ask which pain relief is appropriate for you and follow any instructions provided.
Broken tooth: save any pieces, rinse with warm water, and cover sharp edges with dental wax or sugar-free gum until we see you.
Call us at (615) 754-6677 and describe what is happening. Our team can discuss urgency, appointment availability, and whether another care setting is needed. New patients can also call for guidance about arranging an emergency visit.
Your visit starts with an examination of the painful area and any tests or images needed to help find the cause.
Tooth pain can come from many different things, and they're treated in very different ways:
A cavity. Decay can reach sensitive areas of the tooth. Treatment depends on its depth and the condition of the tooth.
Wisdom teeth. Pressure or throbbing at the back corners of your jaw often means a third molar coming in sideways or trapping food under the gum.
TMJ / jaw problems. Sometimes the "toothache" isn't a tooth at all — clenching and grinding can make teeth and jaw muscles ache, especially in the morning.
A broken or cracked tooth. Pain when biting can be a sign of a crack. Prompt assessment helps us determine whether and how the tooth can be protected.
Gum infection. Swollen, tender gums near the tooth can mimic tooth pain — and need their own treatment to resolve.
We’ll review the findings with you, discuss how to manage your symptoms, and explain any further tests, treatment, or specialist care you may need.
Describe what is happening. During office hours, our team can discuss urgency, first-aid guidance, and the next appropriate appointment or referral.
We assess the problem and discuss appropriate steps to manage pain or stabilize the tooth. Treatment depends on the cause and your clinical needs.
Treatment may relieve symptoms, stabilize a damaged tooth, or address an infection. What can be completed at the visit depends on the diagnosis, your health, and appointment capacity; further care or referral may be needed.
We’ll explain any further treatment, expected timing, and costs, including what follow-up is needed after urgent care.
Tell us if cost is a concern. We’ll explain the recommended care, estimated fees, insurance benefits, and current payment options. Cherry financing is coming soon. Prompt assessment can help prevent some problems from worsening.
Regular checkups can identify some problems before they become painful. After urgent care, we’ll discuss follow-up and prevention suited to your needs.