Patients should continue routine dental appointments during the pandemic. This is borne out by a study in a recent CDA Journal [1] which concludes that oral hygiene interventions and periodontal and dental treatment have the potential to decrease the oral bacterial burden and the systemic inflammatory response and therefore could decrease the severity and risk of COVID-19 respiratory problems.
Routine dental care, i.e. hygiene cleanings would not only improve patients’ overall health but could have a significant positive impact on health care systems during the COVID-19 pandemic by decreasing the need for intensive care and mechanical ventilation of patients.
“Successful control of periodontal inflammation can be beneficial to the lungs, possibly decreasing severity and risk of COVID-19 respiratory problems,” the Journal study concludes. Our team is encouraging you to exercise good oral health hygiene by brushing your teeth twice per day for at least two minutes using a fluoridated toothpaste and performing interproximal cleaning. But avoiding your hygiene appointments may put you at higher risk for more severe complications if you contract Covid-19.
We understand your fears, but they are misguided. Give us a call to schedule your hygiene appointment today.
Novy Scheinfeld, DDS, PC
ZoAnna Bock, MS, DMD
Hanna Orland, DMD
290 Carpenter Drive, 200A
Sandy Springs, GA 30328
404-256-3620
And
3781 Chamblee Dunwoody Road
Chamblee, GA 30341
770-455-6076
[1] California Dental Association – October 2020 Issue, “The Mouth-COVID Connection: IL-6 Levels in Periodontal Disease ― Potential Role in COVID-19-Related Respiratory Complications” by Shervin Molayem, DDS, and Carla Cruvinel Pontes, DDS, MsC, PhD.
the right smile 