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Worried About COVID-19 Exposure? Our Practice Has Extra Safety Protocols in Place So You Can Keep Your Dental Cleanings and Appointments With Confidence

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dental face mask

 

A healthy smile depends on keeping plaque and tartar to a minimum by brushing and flossing your teeth every day, supplemented by your twice-yearly dental checkups and cleanings. Working together, we can keep tooth decay (cavities) and gum disease from gaining a foothold in your mouth.

But what happens when you skip those routine visits because you’re too busy, don’t want to spend the money to fix problems, or are scared of Covid-19 exposure in our office?

So here’s the thing…seeing our dentist every six months for cleanings takes up way less time than having to come in and get cavities and infected gums treated, or waiting until a cavity is even bigger and possibly needing a root canal, crown, or extraction! Treating problems in their earliest stages is more time and cost-effective, and saves you pain.

What Happens When You Skip Dental Visits

-Bacterial plaque growth: Dental cleanings remove hardened plaque/tartar with our special tools, which brushing and flossing alone can’t do!

-Cavities: These are a sure bet if you constantly skip out on your routine cleanings, because of tartar which wears down precious tooth enamel. As the cavity gets bigger, it is more expensive and invasive to treat. In addition to cavity formation, untreated cavities can leave you with bad breath, and even tooth loss!

-Lost teeth: If tooth decay and advanced gum disease aren’t stopped, the teeth can loosen and fall out.

-Gum disease: In the early stages, gingivitis (red, swollen gums) can be reversed with prompt treatment. Once it progresses from lack of treatment, it can lead to loss of the jaw bone material and teeth.

-Chronic bad breath: Unchecked bacterial plaque from tartar can irritate the gums and make your breath smell really bad. 

-Stained teeth: Without regular teeth cleanings and polishing, tooth enamel can result in discoloration from bacterial plaque.

-Oral cancer: Routine checkups allow our dentist to examine your smile with an oral cancer screening, and this disease can be deadly. 

-Poor overall health: Poor dental care is harmful to your oral health and general health. Along with tooth decay and gum disease, these conditions affect other areas of your body, including heart disease, diabetes, stroke and breast cancer.

-Oral abscesses and infections: These can arise if you have cuts or abscesses in the mouth that are infected. Many times these issues show up on your dental X-rays during routine exams, and as we said, the earlier a problem is found and treated, the less invasive and costly it is to treat.

As for contracting COVID-19 visiting our dentist and practice, we have protocols in place designed to protect your safety, including the following:

  • When scheduling your visit, you will get to complete a COVID-19 pre-screening questionnaire over the phone as well as before you come in.
  • After checking in (over the phone) you will remain in your vehicle until we call you to come in. Appointments between patients are more spaced out.
  • Only patients being treated can come inside the office, and we have implemented social distancing of six feet where possible.
  • You and every other patient will need to wear a mask when in our office. If you do not have one, we will give you a disposable mask. 
  • Your temperature will be checked when you come in. If you have a fever, illness, or a positive screening for COVID you will need to reschedule your appointment.
  • Our staff also has their temperature checked when they arrive, and wear masks, keep their distance, or work behind a protective screen.
  • Our sanitation measures are always strong, but since COVID-19 we have stepped it up even further, with extra cleanings, whether that is the office, equipment, and inventory throughout the day.
  • You can use the hand sanitizer pumps located at each check-in and check-out stations as well as in the office.
  • The check-in and check-out stations have protective shields.
  • If you have an appointment, you can pick up specific products from your car.
  • Our goal is to keep you safe and healthy whenever you visit us. You can keep your routine dental cleanings for optimal oral and general health that will save you time, energy and money down the road, without sacrificing your safety. Call today to schedule!