If Covid Caused a Cancellation, Now is the Time to Renew Dental Care
The Covid 19 pandemic is finally drawing to a close, and we can all breathe a sigh of relief. But, when you do, is it through a mouth that is causing you pain or discomfort? If so, you are not alone. This pandemic left a long-lasting impact on physical and mental health, including teeth and gums.
Quarantines and shutdowns prompted dentists themselves to temporarily close their offices or reduce the number of patients seen to maintain social distancing. Some patients delayed visits due to fear of disease transmission or had a period of transition between health insurance plans or dental coverage. Regardless of the reason, a national survey revealed that almost half of all adults in the U.S. (46.7%), reported that they delayed pursuing dental care and skipped dental cleanings.
Our oral health is not confined to our teeth and gums alone. Scientists know that oral health also impacts our physical, emotional and psychological well-being. Gum disease for instance, has links to major medical maladies such as cardiovascular disease, respiratory infections, diabetes and even Alzheimer’s, to name a few.
Effects of Skipping Dental Exams
In the immediate timeframe however, there are several consequences that stem from this delayed dental care. Do any on this list sound familiar?
- Small cavities turned into larger ones
- Larger cavities required more intense treatment including crowns and root canals
- Incidences of gum disease increased
- Teeth cracked or broke from tooth grinding (mostly at night)
- Headaches and jaw pain
Many of these issues were caused by delayed dental visits, however the increase in tooth grinding and the subsequent cracked or broken teeth, was almost directly related to pandemic stress. A survey by the American Dental Association found that an overwhelming number of dentists, or 70%, reported seeing an increased number of patients who began tooth grinding or jaw clenching since the pandemic began. These two habits are often linked to stressful situations, although patients may find it difficult to stop since they mostly occur at night or are subconscious reactions.
Covid Related Dental Issues
Delayed or limited access to dental care affected almost half of the overall adult population. Those that had a case of Covid, however, experienced additional dental issues related to the virus itself. Patients who recovered from Covid are experiencing side effects related to oral health such as gum disease, loss of taste and dry mouth.
Gum Tissue Diseases such as Gingivitis or Periodontal Disease
Empire Dental Arts’ local dentist offices witnessed a huge uptick in gum tissue problems, from mild to more serious periodontal problems. The dental hygienist can help arrest swelling or irritated gum tissue. Patients dealing with gum issues are urged to bump up dental visits to once every four months instead of every six.
It is vital to practice proper dental care at home, such as flossing, using a mouth rinse or switching to an electric instead of manual toothbrush. There is no single, simple cure for this issue. The combination of daily practice of good oral hygiene and regular dental visits are the answer.
More serious periodontal issues could require deep cleanings, below the gumline. These might require an anesthetic to avoid causing pain.
Covid Related Sense of Taste
Among the many studies that focused on Covid-19, one in the Journal of the American Medical Association, reported that 50% of Covid patients surveyed said their taste and smell returned within four weeks. However, approximately 12% said loss of taste and smell continued or got worse after four weeks. There are cells that line the taste buds on the tongue, and it has been determined that cell damage most likely causes this permanent taste loss.
Consequences of Covid Related Dry Mouth
Many Covid-19 patients (43%) said they experienced dry mouth for a long period of time. What they might not know is that dry mouth can increase a person’s chance of developing or intensifying different oral health issues, that range in severity from bad breath to tooth decay, mouth infections and unhealthy gums.
Dry mouth can be tackled at home in a number of different ways:
- After every meal, brush your teeth
- Floss at least once daily
- Find a mouth wash that help moisturize the mouth
- Avoid smoking, alcohol, or drinks with caffeine—all of these can make dry mouth worse
- Avoid sugary foods
- Cut back on snacking
- Try a humidifier in the bedroom at night
Teeth Grinding and Pandemic Stress
In addition to oral health issues, many people report increased teeth grinding and jaw clenching due to stress from COVID-19. Many people have suffered physical, financial, or emotional stress during the pandemic, and one of the most common manifestations of high-stress levels is tooth grinding or jaw clenching.
Grinding teeth and jaw clenching can increase tooth sensitivity, cause a lack of structure around the teeth, cause pain, or lead to cracked teeth and jawbones. Other common symptoms of excessive teeth grinding include headaches, muscle problems, and loose teeth. The signs will differ from one person to another; however, this also is a condition that Empire Dental Arts dentists are diagnosing more often.
A nightguard is one possible solution to help hold the jaw in a more restful position and, should teeth grinding continue, have that plastic barrier to protect tooth structure and the surrounding bone and gum tissues.
Is it Safe to go to the Dentist?
As with any respiratory illness, Covid-19 spreads through droplets breathed in through the nose and mouth. Dental practices that shut down reopened after instituting infection control recommendations from both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Dental Association. These measures have proven their effectiveness, in that the rate of Covid-19 infections among dentists is extremely low—as low as 0.2%.
However, for patients that are concerned, call and ask the office staff at your dentist about their Covid or infection protocols.
In the meantime, practice good dental hygiene by:
- Brushing after every meal or at least twice a day
- Brush before going to bed
- Remember to floss
- Eat a variety of healthy foods
- Avoid sugary foods and snacks
- Make an appointment twice a year for dental checkups
Find a General Dentist
Many life altering events occurred during the pandemic. Don’t let life changes prevent you from taking proper care of your oral health. Whether you moved, changed jobs and dental insurance or simply lost track of your dental records, a simple search to “find a general dentist near me” can help locate a practitioner to help.
Proper, preventive dental care can help patients keep teeth and gums healthy. And you want to find a dentist you can trust. Contact your local Empire Dental Arts location today to schedule your routine dental checkup!