Should You Get a Dental Cleaning During Covid-19?

Deciding if you should still get a dental cleaning during a pandemic is a personal choice. Elective procedures or treatments, like dental cleanings and check-ups, are still vital every six months to keep your teeth and gums healthy. However, patients today are concerned about symptoms of COVID-19, along with the conflicting guidance out there about whether or not individuals should still go to the dentist for non-emergency appointments. Read on to learn more from the team at Byers Station Dental in Chester Springs, PA on how to stay safe during a dental exam while maintaining good dental hygiene habits for you and your family.

Is it safe to go to the dentist now?

Dental practices adapted on how they work with patients to account for the spread of COVID-19. Patients are pre-screened for COVID-19 symptoms before arrival, and appointments are limited each day to allow for social distancing throughout the dental office. We also allow for more time between patients' appointments, so exam rooms are thoroughly cleaned after each patient. Patient safety is always at the forefront for our team at Byers Station Dental, and CDC guidelines are followed closely. Other changes we have made to protect our staff and patients are:

• We wear protective equipment during all routine dental cleanings and allow for extra time between each appointment to thoroughly clean each exam room after every patient.
• Upon entering the reception room, all patients have their temperatures taken, are asked the same COVID-19 screening questions, and are required to use hand sanitizer before entering the office.
• We ask that dental patients limit extra companions during their appointment to reduce the number of individuals in the office.
• Our waiting room no longer offers children's toys, beverages, or magazines.
• Our dental facility uses a high-speed evacuation system that draws a large volume of air. It reduces the aerosol particles that leave a patient's mouth to increase our team and patients' safety.
• Patients are asked to wear a protective face mask until it is time for their dental cleaning or procedure.
• If a patient should develop COVID-19 symptoms within 48 hours after their appointment, we ask them to please contact our office immediately.

Should I still get a dental cleaning during a pandemic?

Healthy teeth and gums are a vital part of your overall general health. At this point, the American Dental Association (ADA) believes dental care is safe and will not contribute to the spread of COVID-19. The CDC guidelines continue to see dental care as an essential health care service, and regular dental cleanings are necessary to prevent dental disease. So, should your dental care continue during a pandemic? The answer to that question is yes. However, patients should be careful by following CDC guidelines, and any changes implemented by their dental practice.

Importance of dental cleanings even during a pandemic

Preventive dentistry treatments, like dental exams, are essential to your smile. Routine dental cleanings remove harmful plaque and tartar for healthy teeth and gums, which can reduce the risk of developing cavities and gum disease. At the end of dental cleanings, a fluoride treatment may be administered to help strengthen tooth enamel and minimize the chance for tooth decay. Keeping up with dental cleanings, even during a pandemic, is essential to help protect your smile against future dental problems. Dental practices, like Byers Station Dental, are taking the necessary precautions to keep their patients safe. If you are overdue for a dental cleaning, call our Chester Springs, PA dental office to talk to one of our team members, or feel free to check out our updated coronavirus/COVID-19 procedures online.