If you have been putting off going back to the dentist because of Covid-19, it is now time to reconsider. As with everything with the pandemic, it’s normal to feel apprehensive, but it is also important to bring your oral health back up to date. The longer you continue to skip the every six-months check-up and cleaning, the sooner it will lead to predictably worse results in your mouth for when you finally do go back. In reality, your dentist’s office is amongst the most well-prepared industries to cope with illnesses, such as Covid, and has the most stringent and sterile protocols put into place. The following are reasons to feel rest assured that you can safely return for your routine dental check-ups:

Dental Offices are Safe

Not only has it been proven that dental offices continue to be one of the safest places for people to go to, but according to the American Dental Association, the CDC has yet to document a single coronavirus case traced to a dental office. Most dental offices include a list of precautions and procedures that they have been taking during Covid19 to keep patients safe. Much of their success has been due to the diligentuse of PPE. Pre-Covid masks and gowns were already being used everywhere, but now dental offices have gone to much greater lengths to ensure safety.

Regular Check-Ups Still Matter

Avoiding your regular dental check-ups could have serious implications on your oral health. Seeing the dentist regularly is important for everyone, even those who have a history of healthy teeth and gums. It is possible that new issues may have arisen in your mouth over the past year and a half, that you may not even be aware of. It is easier to correct oral health problems when they are addressed early on. The lapse in regular dental exams and oral health assessment could allow manageable issues to become larger, more difficult and more expensive conditions to treat.

Patients with Pre-Existing Conditions Need to be Monitored

Some patients who have pre-existing conditions, such as diabetes, need to be monitored frequently, about every 2-3 months, for any oral issues that could arise. Patients with diabetes are more likely to have oral health problems like cavities and gum disease, so it is extremely important to get back to the dentist for prevention or for these conditions to be monitored.

There is an Increase of Stress Damage to the Teeth

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a large increase in “stress” damage to teeth. Teeth grinding (bruxism) and an increase in smoking and drinking have elevated people’s chance of getting an oral disease. As well, since so many people have been working from homethe tendency to snack more often and eat more sweets is on the rise. All of these above events can lead to dental problems.The longer people go without seeing their dentist again, the longer these issues will remain undetected and cause further damage.