Don’t Let COVID-19 Stop You from Seeing Your Dentist!

When the COVID-19 pandemic first swept through America back in March, most dental practices essentially closed, only treating patients with emergencies. Even after they’ve opened back up, many people still hesitate to attend dental appointments, as they’re worried it’s not worth the risk of infection. Dental offices are actually some of the cleanest, safest places you could be. This was true even before the pandemic, and with all of the added safety precautions that your dentist in Savannah is taking, it’s even truer now. Here are three reasons why you shouldn’t let COVID-19 prevent you from regularly seeing your dentist.

Better Oral Health Means Better Overall Health

Your mouth is the main entry point into the rest of your body. As such, being in good general health is largely dependent on having a healthy mouth. For example, gum disease, a common bacterial infection in the gums, has been frequently linked with several other medical conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and more. If you see your dentist at least twice a year, they can detect and treat gum disease while it’s still in the early stages, before it results in any of these issues.

Not to mention, having an infection in your mouth makes it harder for your immune system to fight off infections in other parts of the body. This could increase the risk of developing serious complications if you were to catch COVID-19.

Regular Dental Visits Can Save You Money

A lot of oral health problems, like gum disease and cavities, don’t cause pain until they’ve reached the advanced stages. In many cases, a cavity doesn’t hurt until the decay reaches the center of the tooth where the nerve lies. At that point, you might require a root canal to treat it, which is significantly more costly and invasive than a filling.

By attending regular checkups, your dentist can spot problems like these early enough that treatment is still relatively easy and inexpensive.

Your Dentist Is Great at Infection Control

To minimize the risk of infection, your dentist has implemented several additional safety protocols, including:

• Performing daily health checks of team members
• Pre-screening patients’ health before their appointment
• Having patients wait in their cars instead of the reception area
• Limiting the number of patients in the building at a time
• Thoroughly disinfecting all instruments, equipment, and surfaces in the operatory after every appointment
• Wearing increased amounts of personal protective equipment (PPE)

Just because we’re in a pandemic doesn’t mean you should let your dental health fall by the wayside. When you’re in your dentist’s care, your safety is the number one priority. Don’t be afraid to schedule your next checkup today!

About the Author

Dr. Charles R. Fana, Jr. earned his dental doctorate from the University of Louisville. He opened Compass Dental in 2000 and has never looked back. In accordance with guidelines laid out by the CDC, OSHA, and the ADA (American Dental Association), his practice follows a plethora of new protocols to keep patients safe. To schedule your next checkup with a safe dentist in Savannah, GA, visit Dr. Fana’s website or call (912) 244-7025.