Dental Care For Covid-Vulnerable Senior Citizens
We have all been on the lookout for the latest news on the COVID-19 disease and the impact it has on our communities, towns, and families. We know this is difficult times. You may not be able to go to the dentist for your regular cleanings, the application of restorations or crowns, and you are wondering if you should seek help for severe dental pain, inflammation, or other such emergencies.
Much more attention must be paid to oral health and hygiene during the pandemic. The coronavirus enters the human bodies through the mouth and nose. In summary, protecting the entrance to the body from infections is especially vital. The patient may feel that their dental anxiety is worse than ever, because it’s now working in with coronavirus anxiety which elderly people are particularly likely to experience at a heightened level due to their actual risk of, well, death.
The dental health services are limited to emergency consultations only during this phase of the pandemic. These actions help keep medical personnel and patients safe, preserve personal protective equipment and care supplies. For senior citizen patients, a gentle family dentist is vital and expands the available capacity of the health system. If your dentist determines that you require an in-person consultation, follow their instructions to reduce transmission risk.
Dental offices are beginning to open their doors across the country for routine appointments after the coronavirus forced cleaning and non-urgent care to be postponed for several months. But things will be somewhat different for returning patients.
The most obvious change from a patient’s perspective? You may not feel that the environment is as homely as it used to be.
By taking care of your teeth and gums as you age, you can prevent mouth problems like toothache, cavities, and tooth decay. If you have a healthy mouth, it will be easier for you to eat well and enjoy food.
Nevertheless if you have an important surgical procedure like wisdom tooth extraction coming your way, and you’re over 65, you would have to be super-human to not feel fear of the dentist in a particularly acute 2020 way.
Taking care of your teeth and gums is especially important if you have any medical conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease, or take medications that can cause oral health problems. Following awareness of dental methods has grown during Covid to keep your teeth and gums in good health over the years.
When patients return for their treatment, tools, and surfaces commonly touched by the dentist may be covered with plastic. These protective layers will be changed and pulled after each patient is seen to facilitate the disinfection process.
People of all ages can get cavities. But older adults have some special dental challenges for example:
- Higher risk of developing cavities in older teeth
- Increased risk of cavities in the root of the teeth, if the gum has retracted
- Greater plaque formation in less time
- Daily dental hygiene habits can be difficult if you have a vision, mobility, or motor problems.
- Dental care can be difficult to access if you have medical or behavioural conditions that get in the way.
To provide excellent care to patients with COVID-19 and continue to serve patients with other health needs as safely as possible, we have decided to focus the care of COVID-19 patients in a protected area.
Are you looking for dental care advice during this contingency phase?
Contact your dentist for help in evaluating whether your dental problem falls into the category of urgent conditions. Even if the dental office is closed, there may be an emergency number or contact instructions on voicemail.