Urgent Dental Care During COVID-19: What Precautions Should I Take When Visiting the Dentist?

Your teeth help you smile. Your cavities make you frown.

More than thirty percent of adults have untreated tooth decay. Tooth decay causes toothaches, infections, and root canals. A lot of decay results in urgent dental care.

Many people are anxious to go to the dentist. Going to the dentist during COVID can be absolutely terrifying. But don’t panic.

Dentists are taking precautions to keep you safe. Here is a quick guide.

What Urgent Dental Care Offices Do

The American Dental Association has a series of recommendations for dentist offices. Someone must clean all surfaces in the examining room. This includes the dental chair and drawer handles.

Protective covers must be replaced after each patient. Any disposable tools like needles are discarded after one use. Dentists must clean and sterilize anything that they reuse.

Dentists must wear gloves, gowns, and eyewear when they are close to patients. After seeing a patient, they must wash their hands and put on two new gloves.

Dentists must also wear a mask. Double-masking is becoming more common, and more offices are adopting this practice.

Dentists are asking patients without urgent needs to stay home. Urgent dental care is for patients with severe pain or a broken tooth.

Offices do not allow in anyone with symptoms of COVID. If you have a high fever or constant cough, do not go to your dentist. Call the office and cancel your appointment.

What to Do During Your Dentist Appointment

Before you enter, your dental office may call you. They will ask you about any symptoms of COVID that you may be having. If you have no symptoms, you will be allowed in.

Do not bring anyone with you. If you must bring your child, leave them in a car.

Wear two masks over your mouth. Make sure your nose and mouth are completely covered.

Be prepared to wait outside until your dentist is ready for you. Most waiting rooms are closed off to avoid contamination.

You may have your temperature checked and your hands covered in sanitizer. Follow all procedures that your dentist asks you to perform.

Relax as much as possible during your procedures. With all of these precautions, the chances of you getting sick are low.

Try to avoid speaking as much as possible. Talking spreads saliva through the air, which can increase the risk of infection. Answer questions with short responses and non-verbal signs.

Is It Safe to Go to the Dentist During COVID?

When you suffer from a toothache, you should seek urgent dental care. Many people are understandably nervous to go to the dentist’s office during COVID. But you can.

Dentists clean and disinfect all surfaces, including reusable tools. Anything that is disposable gets thrown away. Offices do not allow in anyone with symptoms of COVID.

Wear two masks before going to your office. Wait outside to avoid contact with other patients. Disinfect your hands with hand sanitizer and avoid speaking or touching other things.

It is safe to go to the dentist. Put your mind at ease with the facts. Follow our coverage for essential health and fitness guides.