Is It Safe to Go to the Dentist During the COVID-19 Pandemic?

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and American Dental Association (ADA) had issued a statement earlier in December 2020 warning against traveling to the dentist for dental care during the COVID-19 pandemic. But a lot has changed since then and, many patients are wondering, “Is it safe to go to the dentist in 2021?”

The answer depends on your level of risk. If you have not been exposed to the virus, are practicing social distancing, and are not at high risk for infection, going to the dentist may be okay. If you have been exposed to coronavirus or are at high risk for infection, rescheduling your dentist appointment may be necessary for the health of yourself and others.

A joint survey by the CDC and American Dental Association in June 2020 showed promising results. It showed that less than 1 percent of American dentists had tested positive for COVID-19 at the time. So, while it still pays to be cautious, the dentist's office may be relatively less risky during this pandemic.

Is It Safe to Go to the Dentist During COVID-19?

Oral health and dental health care are just as crucial as overall healthcare, but most people tend to sideline dentistry compared with other medical treatments. When the pandemic hit in early 2020, many people were nervous about the safety of visiting any medical professional at all. This is because they did not know what kind of diseases they or their loved ones could contract from a doctor or dentist’s office during an examination.

The ADA even recommended that dental clinics remain closed except for emergency dental care until cases declined, which was smart considering how easily the coronavirus can spread.

The debate over whether or not to open dental practices during the COVID pandemic was a difficult one. However, as new cases began to decline and we began to know a lot more about how the virus spreads, many dentists have made their dental offices available with little fear of infection.

They are expecting patients back in droves to catch up on dentistry treatments they've missed. Dentists are practicing COVID-19 infection control by choosing to wear personal protective equipment and masks. Dentists are also following normal protocols like using new, sanitized tools for every patient.

The advent of the COVID-19 vaccine has also improved the outlook significantly. If you suspect dental problems or want to be proactive before any possible complications arise, you should schedule a dental appointment right away. Keeping up with your regular dentist visit will help you stay healthy when we are all vulnerable.

To be safe, you should wear a protective mask while in the dentist's waiting room. You should take it off only while the dentist is working on your mouth.

When Should You Not Go to the Dentist?

Dental clinics are a relatively safe place to visit, but there are still situations where you should postpone your appointment. You should not be thinking of going to the dentist if you are feeling ill or have any of these mild or severe COVID symptoms:

• Fever or chills
• Dry cough
• Nausea
• Sore throat
• Shortness of breath
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Muscle aches

If you have these symptoms, it is best for your health and everyone else's that you do not go to the dentist so as not to put others at risk for transmission. We recommend that you contact us to report this reschedule your dental appointment instead of risking infecting other patients in our dental offices with the virus.

Why It Is Important You Keep Your Dentist’s Appointment If You’re Well, Even During COVID-19

Part of staying healthy during the coronavirus pandemic means keeping up with routine dental visits. Many people have postponed dental appointments for over a year. At the same time, a large percent of people have been eating less healthily during the pandemic. Dentists have seen more cases where a small cavity has grown into something much worse that can lead to tooth loss or death.

Given the seriousness of this pandemic, it is essential that you take care of your dental health during these unprecedented times by maintaining your oral health to help reduce the risk for other diseases. For example, if not treated, tooth decay is a leading cause of heart disease and diabetes. These underlying conditions could make you susceptible to contracting COVID-19.

Helpful Tips: Taking Care of Your Teeth at Home during COVID 19

• Keep hydrated to maintain your oral health.
• Avoid foods that can easily damage or crack your fillings or teeth like ice popsicles and brittle candy.
• Maintain recommended everyday dental care. Brush and floss your teeth twice daily and rinse your mouth with mouthwash daily.

Dr. Silman & the Smile Spa Take Patient COVID-19 Safety Seriously

Is it safe to go to the dentist? We certainly think so!

For Dr. Silman and The Smile Spa, safety is our top priority. As such, we have implemented certain precautions to limit the spread of coronavirus between patients.

One way is by limiting the number of people that visit the clinic at any given time to practice social distancing in the dental offices and waiting room.