What is a Dental Emergency?
Ordinary medical emergencies don’t stop during trying times. On the advice of medical professionals, many people, including dental office staff, are practicing social distancing or are under lockdown during the coronavirus epidemic. But it’s important that we don’t forget the importance of oral health, including dental emergencies, while fighting the coronavirus. What qualifies as an emergency varies with each case, and when determining a course of action dentists also have to consider the situation in their region and the need to reduce burdens on hospital emergency rooms. Although the coronavirus situation is changing rapidly, we want to help people to understand what constitutes an emergency and what they can do to avoid needing urgent care.
How Do I Avoid Emergencies?
Oral hygiene remains paramount. Everybody should thoroughly brush their teeth twice a day, as well as floss and scrape their tongues. People can reduce cross-contamination of toothbrushes by allowing them to air dry while keeping them from touching each other. Putting them in closed containers could allow bacteria to grow on them. Toothbrushes require replacement when their bristles begin to fray or after the user has been sick, and people should wash their hands before brushing their teeth or flossing.