COVID 19 & Dental Health - Dentist Trips & Protections to Take

The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic had a major impact on how Americans access dental care. Especially in the earlier stages of the pandemic, there was significant concern over how dental care could be administered without raising the risk of COVID-19 infection. Many people delayed appointments and checkups in order to avoid exposure.

Today, we know more about COVID-19 and medical professionals, including dentists, have a greater understanding of the steps they must take to keep their patients safe. Dental care can be delivered safely with the proper precautions, like protective face masks.

In order to prevent oral health problems, it’s important that people maintain regular dental visits and cleanings.

Current State of COVID-19 in the U.S.

More than 77 percent of Americans over the age of 18 have received at least one dose of an approved vaccine, and nearly 68 percent have completed a full primary series of an approved vaccine.

Health officials are still monitoring COVID-19 transmission levels closely.

Is COVID a Threat to Your Oral Health? 

According to the American Dental Association, there is currently no reason to believe that COVID-19 has any significant oral health effects. While some uncommon oral health conditions have been noted in individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19, experts say that there is no verifiable link between the two conditions.

However, there is some evidence that good oral health may protect you from contracting a more severe form of COVID-19. In a study by McGill University, COVID-19 patients with gum disease (even mild forms) were found to be:

• 3.5 times more likely to require intensive care

• 4.5 times more likely to be placed on a ventilator  

• 8.8 times more likely to die as a result of the virus

What to Expect at the Dentist’s Office 

In general, dentists take every possible precaution to ensure that they serve their patients as safely as possible.

You will be asked to stay home if you have any symptoms of COVID-19 prior to your visit, such as a cough or a fever.

The staff in your dentist’s office will likely be wearing masks during your visit.

Should You Put Off Dental Procedures Due to COVID-19?

In earlier stages of the pandemic, many people avoided dental visits and other non-emergency medical care.

A September 2020 study published in the Journal of Dental Research found the following:

• 46.7 percent of respondents delayed going to the dentist during the early days of the pandemic

• 74.7 percent were only due for a routine checkup, but 12.4 percent delayed seeking care for something that was bothering them

• 10.5 percent delayed scheduled treatments for problems that had already been diagnosed

However, with COVID-19 in decline and dental professionals using precautions to make visits as safe as possible, the safest option is to return for routine dental visits.

The longer you wait to undergo necessary dental treatment, the worse the problem will get. A cavity that currently only needs a filling may progress much more quickly than you expect. 

If you delay a dental procedure that you really need, you could put yourself at risk of a dental abscess or sepsis. Sepsis is a serious infection that can lead to death.

Resources

If you are interested in learning more about how COVID-19 affected dentistry in the United States, check out some of these resources for more information:

• The CDC publishes a weekly COVID-19 update with current case counts, vaccination numbers, and relevant public health recommendations.

• This blog post by MouthHealthy (part of the American Dental Association) explains some of the COVID-19 precautions dentists are taking in further detail.

The American College of Dentists maintains a list of resources (including webinars, fact sheets, and other documents) to help dentists operate their practices safely during the pandemic. Even though this information is aimed at dental professionals, it can also help you learn what to expect at your dentist's office.