To slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus, millions of Americans have stayed at home week after week and month after month. While some have returned to work or worked from home, nearly everyone has felt the financial pinch. However, did you know that there has been an increase in dental emergencies from COVID? Read on to learn how this virus may damage your smile and what you can do about it.
Sore Jaw
Needless to say that a global pandemic has left many people feeling stressed and worried. Although you may keep your emotions under control during the day, you may be exhibiting that stress while you sleep in the form of clenching or grinding your teeth. As a result, your jaw muscles or joint, called the temporomandibular joint or TMJ, may feel sore when you wake up. Or you may even finding opening and closing your mouth difficult or painful, which quickly becomes a problem during mealtimes.
Cracked Teeth
Not only does teeth grinding or clenching cause TMJ pain, but it also can lead to excessive stress on your teeth. While it’s the strongest material in your body, enamel can only withstand so much force before it cracks or fractures. When this happens, your teeth’s central tissue, called the pulp, becomes exposed to harmful bacteria, and you become vulnerable to infection and tooth pain.
Tooth Decay
Believe it or not, cavities have become much more common since the COVID-19 quarantine started. With everyone hunkering down and working from home, it is easier to snack throughout the day, especially because the kitchen is so close by! In addition, when stressed, many people find comfort in eating high-calorie, high-carb foods, which are typically loaded with sugar. These foods fuel bad bacteria, increasing their production of acids that erode tooth enamel.
More time at home has also thrown off people’s normal routines. In many cases, this has led to poor oral hygiene, which in turn has caused more tooth decay.
How to Address and Prevent COVID-Related Dental Damage
Obviously, if you experience any of these problems, you should talk to your dentist right away. The sooner you treat the issue, the sooner you can get relief. If you delay getting treatment, the trouble will only get worse.
As challenging as it can be to maintain a normal schedule, do your best to keep up with healthy dental hygiene habits at home. Fortunately, now your dentist’s office has reopened, enabling you to go in for preventive care. During this appointment, they can check on your oral health and remove plaque buildup. If necessary, they can also provide a night mouthguard to protect your teeth from your unconscious grinding or clenching.
The COVID-19 pandemic has already affected you in countless ways, but it doesn’t need to take away your smile. When you take the necessary steps to protect your teeth, you can get through thick and thin with a strong, healthy smile.
About the Practice
At Boyles General Dentistry, our dentists are proud to provide both the emergency and preventive care that patients need to stay healthy throughout the pandemic. Each of our providers has a unique background, but they share a passion for helping others We have implemented proactive safety measures to protect everyone, and we do everything we can to see emergency patients as quickly as possible. If you need an appointment, you may contact us by clicking here.