{"id":1719,"date":"2020-10-26T16:13:15","date_gmt":"2020-10-26T09:13:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.co.th\/blog\/?p=1719"},"modified":"2020-10-26T16:13:15","modified_gmt":"2020-10-26T09:13:15","slug":"how-to-safely-visit-the-dentist-during-covid-19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.co.th\/blog\/how-to-safely-visit-the-dentist-during-covid-19\/","title":{"rendered":"How to safely visit the dentist during COVID-19"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you aren\u2019t fond of going to the dentist, you have a good excuse to give your routine visit a miss this year. Many people are hesitant to return to the dentist as the pandemic continues, especially after the WHO\u2019s statement<\/a> suggesting not to. While check-ups and cleanings are essential to maintaining oral hygiene and detecting problems early on, people are confused about whether to go to a non-emergency dentist appointment during the pandemic. In this Pacific Prime Thailand article<\/a>, we discuss how you can safely go for a dental visit during COVID-19.<\/p>\n

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Is it risky to go to the dentist now?<\/h2>\n

Dentists work in close proximity to patients with open mouths for extended periods. This unique environment poses more risk for spreading SARS-CoV-2, or COVID-19. However, contrary to the WHO\u2019s statement, dentists claim that there is a minimal risk of patients catching the coronavirus during dental visits. What\u2019s more, delaying routine care could result in health problems away from the mouth. Gum disease, for example, is linked to heart disease and other chronic conditions.<\/p>\n

COVID-19 spreads via an ultrafine mouth-made mist, making it transmittable through breathing, coughing, talking, and more. You can inhale these globs or touch a contaminated surface and then your eyes, nose, or mouth. Drills, ultrasonic cleaners, and other common dentistry tools can also generate tiny particles called aerosols. Infectious coronavirus could pass through these particles, and remain airborne for minutes to hours.<\/p>\n

Towards the start of the pandemic, information about the novel coronavirus was scarce. Earlier this year, Thailand\u2019s Ministry of Public Health called upon dentists to postpone any elective non-emergency treatment to limit potential virus spread. Services for urgent cases and continual appointments, such as cavity fillings and root canal treatment, remained open.<\/p>\n

Should I still go to the dentist if it isn\u2019t an emergency?<\/h2>\n

Generally speaking, you should still go – with some considerations. Putting off dental care could cause long-term health problems. Delaying non-severe conditions, such as a cracked filling, can cause them to worsen. On top of that, regular dental cleanings are essential for many reasons, including stabilizing gum condition.<\/p>\n

Being at home for long periods of time has led to unhealthy eating habits for many as well, which is evident once you\u2019re sitting in the dentist\u2019s chair and cleanings take longer than usual. Depending on where you\u2019re located, the highest risk of patients catching COVID-19 is while traveling to and from the dentist\u2019s appointment during the pandemic. Patients might have to use crowded buses or subways in areas where viral transmission remains high, which is especially concerning for those with pre-existing conditions.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re worried, it\u2019s best to consult your dentist before preparing for a visit. It\u2019s likely okay to delay a cleaning for a few weeks or so while waiting for coronavirus transmission rates to decline. The danger lies in waiting for too long since there could be a lot more problems to deal with later on.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s important to remember that dentists treat every single patient like they could have an infectious disease. They are familiar with the possibility of coming into contact with any infectious disease, ranging from hepatitis to HIV\/AIDS, long before the current pandemic.<\/p>\n

Tips to go to the dentist during the pandemic<\/h2>\n

Since people can spread COVID-19 without displaying any symptoms, there are some precautions you should take before visiting the dentist. If you\u2019re in need of a dental visit during the pandemic in Thailand, there are additional steps you\u2019ll be asked to take as a patient. These include:<\/p>\n