As the World Health Organization (WHO) and other leading health professionals have warned, the COVID-19 pandemic has begun to pick up steam. With numbers rising across the country, it’s important that everyone knows how to function in the most appropriate fashion, as to help mitigate the problem and drive down the infection curve. One way to encourage this is to properly respond to dental trauma. As you continue reading, you’ll learn why it’s important to seek treatment for these types of situations from an emergency dentist in Dublin.
Most Dentists are Open for Emergency Care
One of the reverberating terms you’ve heard is “essential,” which has been used to refer to workers, shopping habits and services. Like other medical professionals, most dentists across the country have temporarily discontinued providing what is deemed as non-essential services. Some examples are cosmetic dental procedures like teeth whitening and porcelain veneer placement, and preventive care for teeth cleaning and checkups.
However, many dentists are still available to provide emergency dental care, because it’s considered to be essential to your oral health.
The Burden That Hospitals are Under
Doctors and medical staff in hospitals are currently experiencing unprecedented patient volumes. The general public can help out by only heading to the emergency room when they have a situation that is time sensitive and requires immediate care. Therefore, the people who have life-threatening issues will have less of a barrier between them and the attention they need.
With your local emergency dentist available to provide care, there’s no need to drive to the hospital, which is actually more beneficial for you as well.
Preventing the Spread of COVID-19
By contacting your dentist, first, if you have a dental emergency, you can reduce the traffic in the emergency room. This will help to control the spread of COVID-19 by limiting the number of people who fit into the tight space, which can become a “petri dish.” Not only will you be protecting yourself from contracting the virus, but your efforts could possibly help to save a life.
When You Should Head to the Emergency Room for Dental Trauma
While your dentist should be your first choice for treating a dental emergency, there are two main exceptions to the rule – when you should immediately head to the emergency room:
- A broken jaw – If you suspect you have a broken jaw, you should head to the emergency room, and be sure to immobilize your jaw until you can be treated.
- Bleeding that won’t stop – In most cases, a minor oral laceration can be stabilized by applying a cotton gauze. If you have intense bleeding that continues for more than 10 minutes, you need to head to the emergency room.
The COVID-19 pandemic is uncharted territory for everyone, as nothing like this has happened in over 100 years. By taking a moment to think before acting in any situation, we can all get through this and eventually get back to life as we once knew it.
About the Author
Dr. Eric Buck is a graduate of The Ohio State University College of Dentistry. With several years of experience and a bank of knowledge to share, he is able to provide comprehensive and effective care. Dr. Buck is available to treat dental emergencies during the COVID-19 pandemic at Distinctive Smiles, and he can be reached for more information through his website.