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://www.emersondental.com or call Emerson Dental Associates at (201) 620-9998 for an appointment in our Emerson office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
If you properly care for your partial dentures, hopefully, they will last a long time. However, as with anything, they will break with enough wear-and-tear or accidental trauma. It’s essential to know at what point you should get them repaired. We will go through common issues that may arise with your dentures and the associated…
Clear braces are transparent, which allows for a more discreet treatment process than with traditional metal braces. Many have heard about clear braces, but it is helpful to understand more about what they are exactly and who they are the most ideal for before deciding whether treatment is right for you.The more informed you are…
Dentures and partial dentures require denture repair as needed, depending on the stage of your oral health, including any damage or wear that has occurred to the denture over time. If you notice that they are worn out or cracked, it's time to head to the dentist and get them fixed up so that you…
A successful smile makeover can transform how you look and address lingering issues that you may be self-conscious about. Whether you do not like the shade of your teeth or think that the gaps between your teeth are too large, cosmetic dentistry can offer smile makeover services tailored to your goals.Since smile makeovers are unique…
If you properly care for your partial dentures, hopefully, they will last a long time. However, as with anything, they will break with enough wear-and-tear or accidental trauma. It’s essential to know at what point you should get them repaired. We will go through common issues that may arise with your dentures and the associated…
Clear braces are transparent, which allows for a more discreet treatment process than with traditional metal braces. Many have heard about clear braces, but it is helpful to understand more about what they are exactly and who they are the most ideal for before deciding whether treatment is right for you.The more informed you are…