Now that we’re nearly a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s common knowledge that one of the best ways to stay healthy is to stay home as much as possible. But what if it’s almost time for your child’s dental checkup? While you may be tempted to put it off to keep them safe, you could be putting their smile at risk instead. The COVID-19 pandemic is causing an increase in a variety of oral health issues that can potentially cause permanent damage to your little one’s smile if left untreated. Thankfully, your Beverly children’s dentist is going above and beyond to safeguard your family’s wellbeing when they come in for their appointment. Read on to find out why it’s so important for your child to keep their dental checkup during the COVID-19 pandemic and what you can expect.
How COVID-19 Influences Your Child’s Oral Health
All around the world, dentists are reporting an uptick in a variety of oral health issues during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the coronavirus itself doesn’t seem to directly impact oral health. Instead, this rise of dental problems seems to stem from the lifestyles many of us have needed to adapt to during the pandemic. Experts warn that during the COVID-19 pandemic, children and adults alike are at a higher risk of:
- Cavities: Is your child snacking more now that they’re home all the time? This fuels cavity-causing bacteria in their mouth all day long, which dramatically increases their risk of tooth decay.
- Chipped or broken teeth: With so much going on in the world and so many drastic changes to their daily lives, it’s normal for your child to feel stressed right now. However, this can cause them to clench or grind their teeth (particularly in their sleep) which can chip their teeth.
- Gum disease: Gum disease is an incredibly common bacterial infection in the gums that can cause tooth loss. Unfortunately, it’s easy to accidentally overlook since the initial symptoms are so unremarkable. Biannual checkups play a key role in spotting, stopping, and preventing gum disease.
Keeping Your Child & Their Smile Healthy with Dental Checkups
Your child’s dental checkups are about a lot more than just looking for cavities (although that is an important part of them!). During each one, your Beverly children’s dentist carefully examines their teeth, gums, jaws, and oral development for any warning signs of issues. Then, a thorough cleaning ensures that all the built-up plaque, bacteria, and tartar are cleared away.
These quick, simple appointments do several important things. For one, they help your dentist spot small issues and treat them before they cause permanent damage or a dental emergency. Perhaps more importantly, they also help prevent any problems from starting in the first place with treatments like fluoride applications and dental sealants.
COVID-19 Precautions: Is It Safe to Go to the Dentist?
Many dental practices are reopening with new and improved infection control protocols to ensure that their patients and staff are as safe as possible while they come in to get the care they need. A few new policies you can expect during a dental checkup in the COVID-19 pandemic include:
- Patient prescreening and temperature checks
- Waiting for your appointment from the comfort of your car in the parking lot
- Fewer options for scheduling appointments to allow for more cleaning
- More PPE for your dental team, such as face shields
- Hand sanitizer for patients and more frequent cleanings of the practice
If you are still concerned about your child’s upcoming appointment, don’t hesitate to call your dentist. They will be happy to answer your questions and help you take the next best steps for your family.
About the Practice
Now and always, our focus here at Beverly Farms Dental is the health and safety of our patients, staff, and community. We have always followed the sanitation standards set forth by the CDC, and now we’ve added even more infection control protocols for your safety and peace of mind. If you have any questions about our new COVID-19 safety precautions, more information can be found online. To learn more about the importance of your child’s dental checkup, we can also be contacted via our website or at (978) 927-3515.