As most of you are aware, the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation is beginning to have a greater impact on our society. We have been closely monitoring all announcements from the North Carolina Dental Board, American Dental Association (ADA), Center for Disease Control (CDC), and North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS). We want to provide you with information on how stress affects your oral health during this time so that you can continue to practice good preventative care outside of our office. Here are some common ways that stress affects your oral health:
TEETH GRINDING
Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, occurs when the biting surfaces of the teeth repeatedly come together. It is very common for people to clench their jaw or grind their teeth in response to stress. We want our patients to be mindful of this during the COVID-19 crisis so that they are not faced with the consequences of teeth grinding once this situation is resolved. Teeth grinding can have several symptoms including headaches, earaches, and jaw pain. For patients who suspect they’ve been grinding their teeth, we encourage you to practice mindfulness and leave yourself reminders around your home to relax your facial muscles and wiggle your jaw around to stretch it out. At your next appointment, mention your teeth grinding to Dr. Woodruff. During your visit, Dr. Woodruff can build a comprehensive treatment plan to address current symptoms and prevent future issues.
POOR ORAL HYGIENE
Patients often forget to prioritize their oral health amidst high-stress situations. We want our patients to remember that their oral health is closely linked to their overall health. Brushing and flossing at least twice a day will go a long way in preventing future dental concerns and limiting the number of bacteria left on your teeth surfaces at all times. Additionally, patients often result to eating sugary, sticky, or staining foods during high-stress situations. Limiting your intake of substances like sodas, coffee, and hard candies can greatly help maintain the quality of your smile.
DENTAL EMERGENCIES
The COVID-19 crisis may have stopped everyone in their tracks, but it does not reduce the likelihood of dental emergencies. We want you to know that even during this stressful time, you have someone to call during a dental emergency. For our current patients, we are still offering emergency dental care. If you experience a dental emergency during the COVID-19 crisis, please call our office at 336.697.0618 and we will get back to you as soon as possible. McLeansville Family & Cosmetic Dentistry treats several dental emergencies, including:
- Severe toothaches
- A damaged or lost dental restoration
- A dental infection or abscess
- A fractured or chipped tooth
- Knocked out permanent tooth
Our office wishes everyone continued safety and health during this stressful time. The current recommendation published by the NC Dental Board is to postpone all elective or non-emergent dental care for the next two (2) weeks. We will plan on reopening and treating all patients starting again on Wednesday, April 1, 2020. Once the COVID-19 pandemic is over, please schedule an appointment with our team for preventative, cosmetic, and restorative dental care.