Routine dental care may be on hold, but you might wonder about emergency dentistry. If you have a dental emergency, you can still get the care you need. This is even more the case if you have a life-threatening issue, such as an infection. Read on to learn more about what to do if you have an emergency.
COVID-19 spreads through droplets that are released into the air. When someone sneezes or coughs, these drops are released. When another person breathes them in, that person can become sick. The dentist can easily come in contact with the fluids in the mouth, such as saliva. Many dental offices are not set up to protect against this.
However, many offices are still providing emergency dentistry services. For example, a dentist can care for an infected tooth. This can save the patient a trip to a hospital, where health care workers may already be overworked. By avoiding a trip to the hospital, the patient will help the facility conserve personal protective equipment.
Patients who have serious problems can still get care. The American Dental Association considers life-threatening issues to be ones that need immediate attention. The dentist will determine what needs to be treated. Patients can usually get treatment for issues such as:
If a patient is experiencing one of these issues, they should first call the dentist. The dentist can answer questions about what procedures can be done. If the dentist cannot see the patient, the next option is the hospital or urgent care center. This should only be done if emergency dental care cannot be done.
It is better to stay home if possible. But for patients who must leave for emergency dentistry, there are some steps that can be taken. Each health care worker at the office should sterilize tools and wash their hands often. Some offices may disinfect the surfaces more often or use a barrier to cover the patient’s mouth.
Patients who may have been exposed to the coronavirus should tell the dentist. The most common symptoms include shortness of breath, fever and cough. The dentist can then take the right steps to prevent the virus from spreading before the patient visits. That way, the patient can still get the right dental care while protecting the dental team.
You cannot plan a dental emergency and you may have one during the COVID-19 outbreak. The good news is that for serious issues, you can still get treatment. Contacting your dentist is the first step you can take. Only then should you consider going to the hospital.
Request an appointment here: https://babylonsmiles.com or call Edward Zeva D.M.D. at (631) 773-1094 for an appointment in our Babylon office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
If you experience a dental emergency like a knocked-out tooth or severe tooth pain, your best bet is to visit the emergency dentist. However, some people opt to visit the ER for such emergencies, eventually wasting time and money. It is more vital than ever to know where to go when you experience serious issues…
The pandemic has resulted in a stressful time for everyone in the world, and, for many people, this stress can result in orofacial pain.A study published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine took a look at patients in two countries and examined how the stress of COVID-19 lockdowns may have caused an increase in jaw-clenching,…
Curious about emergency dentistry during the coronavirus (COVID-19) disease pandemic? The COVID-19 outbreak has caused many dentists to limit their elective services and transition into only treating patients who need emergency dentistry. Due to this, it is important for people to understand what constitutes a dental emergency. One of the more common oral health concerns…
An emergency dentist has the ability to do just as much as a traditional dentist can, which includes prescribing medication for injuries. Mediations can help speed along the healing process, and in some cases, it may be necessary in order for healing to take place at all.Want to know if an emergency dentist can provide…
Seeing a preventive dentist is a vital part of your oral healthcare routine each year. However, many people skip this essential step because they do not want to spend time at a dental office. Fortunately, a preventive dentist provides many valuable services that can help your smile last a lifetime and stop future issues before…
Visible cavities and broken teeth can detract from your smile and make you feel less confident, but tooth-colored, or composite, fillings can restore these problems in a way that makes the repairs difficult for others to see. In addition, these fillings have many other benefits, and learning about them before making a choice regarding their…