Since the beginning of 2020, our lives have changed dramatically due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The world as we knew it seemed to come to a stop. Businesses shut their physical locations and stay-at-home orders made in-person dental appointments difficult to schedule.
However, thanks to social distancing guidelines, extensive hand hygiene, face masks, and vaccine rollout, the U.S. is slowly inching toward normalcy. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) now allows fully vaccinated persons to resume their pre-pandemic activities. Face coverings are no longer mandatory in outdoor settings except in crowded places and for unvaccinated people. On June 15th, the State of California is set to fully reopen when face coverings will no longer be required for vaccinated individuals in indoor settings as well. Despite the relaxed guidelines and an improved situation, many people are continuing to postpone their regular dental visits.
Seeing your Palo Alto dentist for routine checkups and cleanings is not something you should disregard or take lightly. Remember, dental checkups are essential for your dental and overall health. So, don’t let COVID-19 delay your routine dental visit.
How frequently should you see your dentist?
Dental professionals recommend that you should have an oral checkup every six months. This allows the dental professional to clean and check your teeth on a regular basis and avert any serious oral complications from occurring.
Although a bi-yearly visit is a general guideline, this can change depending on your specific dental health requirements. Some people need to visit a dental clinic more than twice a year since they are more prone to gum disease than others. The American Dental Association recommends frequent visits at intervals set by the dentist. Usually, after your initial checkup, your dentist will create a customized dental health plan that suits your individual needs.
Why you should schedule an dental appointment now
1. The dentist’s office has always remained a safe place, even before the pandemic.
Long before 2020, dentists in Palo Alto and all over the U.S. have followed the safety and sanitation measures set by the CDC and OSHA. Although those measures continue to play a critical role in avoiding cross-contamination, dental offices are currently implementing extra protocols during dental appointments. The ADA, CDC, OSHA, and other state health organizations
have set forth safety measures to protect patients visiting dental offices during these extraordinary times. At Cambridge Dental Studio, we carefully observe guidelines set by the ADA, CDC, and OSHA. Our goal is to keep everyone healthy and safe as we monitor safety updates daily and revise our practices accordingly.
2. Discover dental problems before they exacerbate.
It can take months to years for a cavity to develop. At its onset, tooth decay can be easily detected and treated to protect your teeth from cracks and fractures. However, if ignored, the problem can spread and require intricate, restorative dentistry to address the issue. To save you both money and time, prioritize proper prevention and make general dentists in Palo Alto your allies.
3. Routine professional cleanings remove plaque.
Although flossing and brushing are essential to keeping your teeth in good shape, the tools and DIY products you have at home can’t compare to the professional-grade equipment dentists have at their offices. By having your teeth professionally cleaned twice a year, built-up plaque and tartar can be easily removed. Plaque and tartar can start affecting your gums over time and lead to periodontal diseases. Regular dental visits ensure that your dental health remains in immaculate condition and is protected from oral issues like cavities and gum disease.
4. Keep gum disease at bay.
The initial stages of gum disease usually have no notable symptoms. This makes it difficult for an individual to spot gum disease on their own. Fortunately, dentists are trained to detect these kinds of diseases even when they are not visible.
During a routine checkup, your Palo Alto dentist will ensure that the gums are in perfect condition. They will check for swelling, deep gum pockets, and receding gums. If the dentist spots any of these tell-tale symptoms, they will address the underlying cause early.
5. Routine oral cancer screenings
Oral cancer is among the fastest spreading cancers and visiting a dental clinic once every six months can save your life. Being part of a high-risk group or having a history of oral cancer will prompt your dentist to perform an oral cancer screening during your routine dental appointments.
Hypothetically, we can argue that an individual who sees a dentist bi-yearly has less probability of developing late-stage cancer as the ADA now recommends dentists conduct examinations for oral and oropharyngeal cancer for all patients to aid in early detection of these cancers.
6. Routine appointments are crucial to maintaining overall health
All too often, people disregard oral conditions and hope that the problem will fade away on its own. However, oral diseases aren’t always confined to your mouth.
Did you know that the bacteria that can cause gum disease can travel through the bloodstream and cause heart and lung damage? To prevent this from happening, prioritize routine dental visits starting today.
Don’t wait to schedule a dental appointments
If it has been more than six months since you last visited a dental office, don’t wait any longer to rectify the problem. We understand that navigating through life in a pandemic like the one we are facing can be anxiety-inducing. Luckily our dentists at Cambridge Dental Studio, are taking stringent measures to ensure your regular visit during COVID-19 is safe.
Schedule an appointment with your Palo Alto dentist as soon as possible, and start enjoying improved dental care again. The longer you wait, the higher the likelihood of developing more serious dental complications that will require more money and time to fix.
Learn about out all the safety precautions we have in place to ensure your safety at: https://cambridgedentalstudio.com/covid-19/