Should You Visit Your Dentist for Emergencies During COVID-19?

The COVID-19 outbreak has become a severe health crisis and unfortunately the COVID-19 cases and deaths are still increasing. Both the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) and The ADA (American Dental Association) have recommended practicing social distancing and to stay at home to protect ourselves and our community from coronavirus.

A recent study reveals that the virus can live in the air for 30 minutes to 3 hours. Dental procedures and treatments that produce aerosols should be evacuated properly. Otherwise, the risk of cross-infection between dental staff and patients can be high.

This is why ADA recommends rescheduling non-emergency dental procedures to avoid crowded offices and minimize the spread of the virus. Dentists should only see patients with dental urgencies and emergencies.

Visit Your Dentist If You Have a Dental Emergency

While the threat of coronavirus is dangerous, it is not advisable to ignore dental emergencies. The American Dental Association has released guidelines to help patients understand what dental conditions are considered an emergency and require immediate attention. As per the ADA guidelines, you can visit your dentist if you have any of these dental conditions, as they are considered a dental emergency:

• Biopsy of abnormal tissue
• Painful swelling in your mouth
• Broken or knocked-out teeth
• Denture adjustment for discomfort and for patients who are receiving radiation or treatment for cancer
• Persistent bleeding in your mouth
• Tooth or jaw bone pain
• Post-surgery treatments including stitches removal and dressing change
• Braces and wires that hurt your cheek or gums
• Pain or swelling caused by a gum infection
• Moderate to advanced decay

Healthcare experts say that staying at home and avoiding face-to-face contact are the best ways to stay safe and prevent the spread of the virus. At Smile Arizona Dentistry, we are following the CDC guidelines and also providing phone consultations to minimize the coronavirus impact.

There are chances that patients may be infected without developing any symptoms, and they can spread the virus during the treatment or in crowded waiting rooms. We advise you to contact us to make sure whether your dental condition or problems require an in-person visit.

If you have a scheduled dental appointment in the upcoming weeks, contact us to check on your appointment. However, don’t ignore your dental emergencies. If your condition requires an immediate in-person visit, contact us. We are taking emergency and urgent need dental care appointments. Schedule any urgent appointment now by calling 480-994-5225.

Also Read: 4 Safe Teeth Cleaning Tips for COVID-19 Outbreak