Can I still go to the dentist? How coronavirus is changing the way we look after our teeth

The coronavirus pandemic is changing the way we access health care, and care is not any exception.

Dentists are not any longer allowed to supply a raft of care, like regular check-ups and tooth whitening, to attenuate the spread of COVID-19. However, if you’re during a lot of pain, your dentist is going to be ready to treat you.

Here’s how the coronavirus is changing the way we glance after our teeth.

Read more: How often should I buy my teeth cleaned?

Why are these restrictions in place?​

When dentists work on your teeth, they will produce aerosols – droplets or sprays of saliva or blood – within the air. Dentist Job in South Africa

This happens routinely when your dentist uses a drill or when scaling and polishing, as an example.

And dentists are wont to following stringent infection control precautions under normal circumstances to lower the danger of transmission of infectious diseases, whether or not they are respiratory diseases or blood-borne.

These precautions help keep both patients and dentists safe because it assumes all patients may have an infection, despite the truth that the majority won’t.

But with the coronavirus pandemic, there's an increased risk of aerosols carrying the virus either directly infecting dental staff, or landing on surfaces, which staff or subsequent patient can touch.

This transmission could also be possible albeit you are feeling perfectly well, as not everyone with the virus has symptoms.

Who’s making these recommendations?​

The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee – the key decision-making committee for health emergencies – has recently recommended dentists only provide treatments that don't generate aerosols, or where generating aerosols is restricted . and every one routine examination and coverings should be postponed. Dentist Job in Malaysia

This is supported level three restrictions, consistent with guidance from the Australian Dental Association.

Recommendations of what's and isn’t allowed may change over time.

What does it mean for me? am I able to still get a filling?​

What’s not allowed?​

Non-essential care is now postponed. This includes routine check-ups and treatment where there's no pain, bleeding, or swelling. So treatments like whitening and most fillings will need to wait.

Other conditions or treatments which will get to be postponed include:

tooth extractions (without accompanied pain or swelling)

broken or chipped teeth

bleeding or sore gums

halitosis (bad breath)

loose teeth (that aren’t a choking hazard)

concerns about dentures

crowns and bridges

clicking/grating jaw joint

scale and polish

What is allowed?​

Some patients will need an urgent look after acute problems requiring treatments that produce aerosols. So such procedures have a risk of spreading COVID-19. Dentist Job in Hong Kong

Permitted treatments are limited to:

tooth extractions or passage treatment when someone is in acute pain caused by damage to or death of the nerve within the tooth

where upper front teeth are significantly damaged, for instance, in an accident (this is an instance where a filling might be provided)

management of ulcers or other problems with the liner of the gums and mouth

providing look after patients with complex medical conditions and were not treating may cause worsening of their general health

managing patients who have dental problems linked to social or cultural factors which will develop quickly if professional care isn't given

where a patient is referred by a doctor for care that's medically necessary.

Can I still attend my regular dentist?​

Many dental practices are only hospitable to manage dental problems causing pain, that are urgent or are an emergency.

So ask your usual dentist to ascertain what services they will provide. And be prepared for prearranged treatments to be canceled.

What if I even have COVID-19 or may have it?

If you would like urgent care and think you'll have COVID-19, it’s important to call your dentist to debate your particular situation.

You may be ready to be treated at your usual surgery, where infection control precautions are going to be stepped up.

But if you've got a dental emergency and are diagnosed with COVID-19, you'll be mentioned a hospital with appropriate facilities.

What am I able to neutralize the meantime?​

COVID-19 goes to be with us for several months. So it’s important to seem after your oral health by maintaining a healthy diet and oral hygiene routine.
 
The article discusses how the Coronavirus pandemic has significantly altered access to dental care, with dentists largely restricted to providing only urgent treatments to minimize the spread of COVID-19.


Restrictions in Dental Care Due to COVID-19​

The primary reason for these restrictions is the production of aerosols (droplets of saliva or blood) during dental procedures like drilling, scaling, and polishing. While dentists normally follow stringent infection control, the heightened risk with COVID-19 means aerosols could directly infect dental staff or contaminate surfaces, even from asymptomatic carriers.

In Australia, the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee, supported by the Australian Dental Association, has recommended that dentists only perform treatments that do not generate aerosols, or where aerosol generation is strictly limited. All routine examinations and non-essential treatments are to be postponed. These are considered Level 3 restrictions and are subject to change.


What Dental Treatments Are Not Allowed?​

Non-essential care is postponed. This includes:

  • Routine check-ups and treatments without pain, bleeding, or swelling.
  • Most fillings.
  • Tooth extractions (without accompanying pain or swelling).
  • Broken or chipped teeth (if no pain/swelling).
  • Bleeding or sore gums (if no severe pain/swelling).
  • Halitosis (bad breath).
  • Loose teeth (that aren’t a choking hazard).
  • Concerns about dentures.
  • Crowns and bridges.
  • Clicking/grating jaw joint.
  • Scale and polish.

What Dental Treatments Are Allowed?​

Permitted treatments are limited to urgent care for acute problems that might still generate aerosols, due to the necessity of the procedure:

  • Tooth extractions or root canal treatment for acute pain caused by nerve damage or death.
  • Significant damage to upper front teeth (e.g., from an accident), where a filling might be provided.
  • Management of ulcers or other problems with the lining of the gums and mouth.
  • Care for patients with complex medical conditions where delaying treatment could worsen their general health.
  • Managing dental problems linked to social or cultural factors that could rapidly escalate without professional care.
  • When a patient is referred by a doctor for medically necessary care.

Seeking Dental Care During the Pandemic​

Many dental practices are now only open for urgent or emergency dental problems causing pain. Patients are advised to contact their usual dentist to inquire about available services and be prepared for pre-arranged appointments to be canceled.

If an individual requires urgent care and suspects they might have COVID-19, they must call their dentist beforehand to discuss their situation. They might be treated at their usual surgery with enhanced infection control, or if it's a dental emergency and they are diagnosed with COVID-19, they may be referred to a hospital with appropriate facilities.


Maintaining Oral Health at Home​

Given the ongoing nature of the pandemic, the article stresses the importance of maintaining good oral health through a healthy diet and consistent oral hygiene routines at home.
 
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