Dental offices in most parts of the United States have begun providing preventative, restorative, and emergency dental services again. Clinics are taking additional steps to ensure safety for staff and patients from the coronavirus.
People do seem to be concerned about oral health
Oral health-care is one of the top priorities for patients. A poll conducted by Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation pointed out that visit to a dental clinic features in people’s to-do lists. Roughly, 82 per cent of the study participants said they have already visited a dentist or plan to do so during the next three months.
Dental offices in more than 48 states have resumed preventative care. Data released by the California Dental Association (CDA) highlighted that more than 70 per cent of dentists in these states reported their June schedule as half full on June 1. The study pointed out that some clinics probably booked fewer appointments due to reduced capacity as a result of safety protocols.
Dental check-up helps in detecting signs of more systemic severe medical conditions
Bad breath, dry mouth, ulcers, and bleeding or swollen gums can indicate possible oral health issues. However, there is a chance that they also indicate widespread infection, nutritional deficiencies, or more systemic severe medical conditions. The signs and symptoms around the mouth and jaw can help in detecting more than 120 medical conditions, including diabetes and heart disease.
Dentists can easily differentiate between various symptoms during a regular check-up at the dental clinic. As the Covid-19 pandemic ravaged the nation, dentists were only providing emergency dental care services. Now that the government has eased stay-at-home restrictions in most parts, everyone must keep up with oral health checkup-routine.
Pain and swelling should not be ignored
Unfortunately, in most cases, patients notice the problem in teeth only after they start experiencing pain. Discomfort can be reduced with painkillers, but remember, problems can turn bigger and boomerang after a few days.
If the patient notices swelling or experiences pain while eating and drinking, it is advisable to call the dental professional. The dentist will assess the problem, find possible reasons behind the pain, and fix an office visit appointment if required.
An untreated dental cavity can result in a tooth abscess
One of the most commonly discussed issues by patients on various forums is pain and swelling around a cracked or decayed tooth. These are possible signs of tooth abscess.
Due to the stay-at-home orders in several countries, some individuals postponed their dental visits to treat cavities. Decay and harmful bacteria cannot be paused. When the bacteria enter the dental pulp chamber, they travel down the root tip. A pocket of pus is formed around the root tip, resulting in inflammation or swelling with extreme pain.
The medical condition needs immediate attention. Leaving it untreated can result in severe, life-threatening diseases. Depending on the state of the tooth, the dentist will recommend root canal treatment and drain the accumulated pus, or suggest the patient extract the tooth.
Dental clinics are taking extra precautions for protecting staff and patients
Clinics in most parts of the country are getting ready to perform more services. Dental offices like Roswell (GA) based TruCare Dentistry do not leave any stone unturned when it comes to cleaning, disinfecting, and providing personal protective equipment to the staff.
Disinfection of door handles, chairs, tables, and other surfaces happens daily. The number of appointments, people entering the office has been adjusted to ensure social distancing.
Dentists assess the problems and plan the treatment on a phone call made before the appointment. Patients are screened for ensuring they are not exposed to the coronavirus.
Tips for individuals who cannot opt for a routine check-up due to the pandemic
Several individuals are still not in a position to go to their dental clinic for a routine check-up. Following some necessary steps besides regular brushing and flossing can prove to be beneficial for oral health during the current pandemic.
Many individuals, young and old, need to take regular medicines that result in a lack of saliva production and cause dry mouth. Such patients have a higher risk of developing cavities.
Using candies and mint to keep dry mouth under control is a bad idea because sugar triggers the growth of cavities, resulting in tooth pain and tooth loss. Opting for specifically designed dental care products for dry mouth can be the best option. It would be best if you call up your dentist. The professional will recommend lozenges, toothpaste, or over-the-counter rinses.
Lastly, consuming several cups of sweetened tea or coffee can be damaging to the teeth. Controlling the intake of tea, coffee, sugar-containing beverages, and soda can significantly help manage your oral health.
If you are looking for a reputed general dentistry or implant dentistry in Roswell (GA), you should consider fixing an appointment at TruCare Dentistry.