“I’m due for my teeth cleaning… should I go to the dentist?”
The short answer is, “YES, you should!”
You know when you are overdue for a teeth cleaning. Your teeth are looking more yellow lately and you can see that buildup around your lower teeth. You can see those coffee or tea stains. Your breath doesn’t feel so fresh and your gums are bleeding more than usual! Everything just feels a bit more sensitive than normal.
Regular teeth cleanings can prevent these signs and symptoms of the dental disease gingivitis, which if left untreated, can cause loss of the gums and bone that supports your teeth.
In response to a recent recommendation by the World Health Organization to delay “routine” dental care in certain situations due to Covid-19, the American Dental Association (ADA), reaffirmed that dentistry is an “essential health service “ and that “beyond teeth and gums, the mouth also serves as a window to the rest of the body and can show signs of infection, nutritional deficiencies and systemic disease.”
“Okay, I know I need it, but is it safe?”
Yes! The health and safety of our patients and staff are our #1 priority at all times and especially during this pandemic. We have implemented many new protocols to prevent the spread of any virus as well as constant review of our already-strict infection control procedures.
Our “keep you safe” protocols include:
*Less appointments booked throughout the day to allow for no crowding in the office and adequate time for extra infection control steps
*Pre-screening for Covid symptoms over the phone and again in person
*Temperature check immediately upon on arrival
*Acrylic barriers installed in waiting room and between patient treatment rooms
*Masks, masks, masks- N95 and N95 equivalents
*Isolation gowns, gloves, and face shields
*Strict social distancing in waiting room or waiting in the car
*Room air disinfection-spraying with a proven safe antiviral mist throughout the day
*Room air filtration
*Pre-treatment mouth rinse
*Sterilization of all instruments
*Spray/ wipe down of all surfaces or new plastic barriers for each patient
Your teeth cleaning may look and feel a bit different during this pandemic time. When possible, we are choosing hand scaling over the use of high-powered, aerosol producing and spinning rotary instruments to reduce potential splatter of virus containing droplets. Things may take a little longer but your teeth will be just as clean! We may focus on using toothbrushes, small interproximal cleaners and flossers to supplement the hand-scaling.
We look forward to seeing more of your smile soon, even if it’s hiding behind a mask most of the time! Thank you for your patience and understanding during this time, and we wish you and your family much health and happiness!