Coronavirus-Related Dental Questions
Published on: July 5, 2021
Should I Boil My Toothbrush to Kill the Virus?
This question comes up regularly in relation to all kinds of illnesses. It’s not generally necessary to boil your toothbrush to prevent the spread of the disease. If you have the virus, it will be on your toothbrush, and if you don’t, then it is unlikely to find its way there if you’re the only one using your toothbrush. And if other people in your house have the virus, there are other vectors that are more likely to spread the disease to you than your toothbrush.
Should I Make My Regular Checkup?
We are being asked to suspend all nonurgent dental appointments, so if you have a regular dental checkup, we will reschedule for a later time.
However, if you have an urgent concern that you hope to get checked at your regular appointment time, let us know and we will take care of it.
What Constitutes an “Urgent” Dental Need?
In general, we consider an appointment “urgent” if it meets one of the following three criteria:
- You are in pain
- You have an infection
- Failure to treat your teeth will seriously impact the health and function of your teeth in the near future
If you have a situation you think you might need urgent treatment, contact us.
Is It Safe to Visit the Dentist Now?
Yes. We always take care to avoid transmission of infection in our office. We are following the recommended best practices to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus. This includes regular sterilization and using single-use masks and gloves. In addition, we ask patients to arrive on-time (not early) for appointments and we have removed potential vectors for transmission in waiting rooms (such as magazines).
Why Should I See a Dentist for Dental Emergencies?
It’s always better to see a dentist for dental emergencies because we are better equipped to handle your specific needs. We are better able to save a tooth that needs saving, and better able to lay the groundwork for long-term healthy, attractive, and functional results.
In addition, emergency departments are likely to be overwhelmed with actual or suspected COVID-19 cases. This can delay your treatment, make doctors even more dismissive of your condition, and even expose you to infection.
The only exception is if you have a fever that might be linked to an infected tooth. If you have any respiratory symptoms or can’t definitely link it to your tooth, the emergency department might be a better choice.
What If I Have Coronavirus and Need Urgent Dental Care?
If you have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, we might want to treat you in a different location from our regular patients. We will coordinate with your doctor to determine the best approach to caring for your dental health.
Dentists in Orange County, NY
If you are looking for urgent dental care in the Central Valley or Orange County, NY, we can help. Please call (845) 783-6466 today for an appointment with a Harriman family dentist at Harriman Family Dental.
