The global COVID-19 pandemic has thrown our ordinary lives in the air, which may leave you wondering on what to do in emergencies and the procedures in place. If you have a dental emergency during the crisis and you are not sure what to do about it, there is plenty of advice below to help you ascertain what needs to be done. Even though you may be in some pain, you will first need to decide on whether you have a real dental emergency or not.
What Constitutes A Dental Emergency During The Pandemic?
Before the global pandemic gripped the world, it was a simple matter to decide whether you need an emergency dentist or not. However, things are not so transparent anymore, and some situations which were previously classed as an emergency may no longer be so. Some things which are classed as non-urgent are as follows:
- Chipped teeth
- Broken teeth
- Sensitive & painful teeth
- Bleeding gums
- A Loose or missing veneers/crowns
Although these problems may cause you some distress, you will need to seek help from your dentist during regular clinic hours. However, there are still some situations classed as emergencies that you will want to find assistance with from an emergency dentist, such as:
- Swelling to the gums, cheeks, or face, especially in your neck
- Extreme pain and discomfort which stops you from sleeping or concentrating
- Missing teeth
- Mouth ulcers which have not healed after two weeks
- A broken or cracked tooth which is causing extreme pain in the cheek or tongue
- Continuous bleeding after having a tooth extracted which does not subside
If you are experiencing any of the extreme problems above, you will want to contact your local emergency dental clinic and make an appointment as quickly as you can. They will assess your condition over the telephone to ensure that your symptoms meet the specified criteria to class your problem as a dental emergency and arrange for an appointment as quickly as possible.
What To Expect When Visiting Your Dentist
It may have been a while since you visited your Gold Coast emergency dentist due to the global pandemic, and there will be changes in your local dental practice which you will need to be aware of before visiting. Although when sat in the chair your mouth will be open and you will not wear a mask, when you arrive at the dental clinic, you should ensure that you have a mask on your face or another type of covering. Your dental practice will also have hand sanitizer that they will ask you to use immediately upon arrival, and you should expect to see everyone else in the clinic wearing masks and cleaning their hands.
There is currently a backlog of people visiting the dentist, and many people are looking to have a check-up or have their teeth cleaned by the hygienist. However, dental practices all over the country must prioritise their work, so if your situation allows for it, they may defer you so that they can treat the more urgent cases first. Be patient with your dentist and try to be flexible on when they can see you, and you can get your dental emergency dealt with, even during this trying time.