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Oral health should be as important as your overall health, said a dental specialist.
Kings Dental Center, General Dentist Dr. Neethu Panangottu told The Peninsula that during the time of COVID-19 pandemic, most people give oral health less priority.
“They consider dental treatment when it is in an emergency case. If they are in pain, then they come to the clinic. As the pandemic is still not over, dental treatment remains a concern, if a patient has a decay and disregards it, the stage becomes progressive and this will lead to pain. This happens because they don’t go for check-ups regularly,” she explained.
She narrated that dental check-up is essential. “We cannot delay treatment because if we do, the small problem will become severe and we will suffer,” she said. Dr. Panangottu also assured patients that the virus will not spread in the dental centre. “We are using personal protective equipment, we use double face mask and gloves, as well as face shield. Healthcare professionals in our clinic do the proper use of suction to prevent aerosol contamination,” she added.
COVID-19 created the fear of going to the dentist as people think they will get infected.
Kate, 30 told The Peninsula that her absence of dental routine check-ups for a year led her tooth to suffer. “I was afraid because I might get the virus in the dental clinic.”
Dr. Panangottu also clarified that COVID-19 affect mostly the respiratory system. “Some patients are complaining of oral ulcers which can be linked to the virus or stress, but there is an exemption if the person has an oral manifestation like a person with diabetes and other systemic diseases.”
In a study published at Dove Medical Press, which is a part of Taylor & Francis Group, the Academic Publishing Division of Informa PLC, titled “Dental Fear and Patient Preference for Emergency Dental Treatment Among Adults in COVID-19 Quarantine Centres in Dammam, Saudi Arabia,” it revealed that of the 606 respondents, females demonstrated higher dental fear compared to males.
“Almost one-third of participants (36.8%) reported that they would visit dental office in case of a dental emergency during the COVID-19 pandemic. Among those who were willing to perform emergency dental visits, dental pain (36.6%), fractured tooth (36.1%), fractured prosthesis (34.2%), and facial swelling (33.7%) were the most frequently reported dental conditions. Only 5.3% of the participants mentioned that they would visit a dental office in case of bleeding gums related emergency,” the study explained, which was published in July 2021.
To avoid any spread of infections and diseases, Dr. Panangottu said all tools and equipment are being sterilised and disinfected. “This means that all tools are washed and dried properly after the treatment. After which, we sterilise and disinfect it. We do this procedure to dental chairs as well,” she said.
“As a precautionary measure, before starting each procedure, we ask the patient to use mouthwash as this reduces the virus load. Also, we check his temperature and ask him if he has any travel history or had contact with an individual having COVID-19,” Dr. Panangottu said.
She also gave tips to maintain healthy oral health: regular check-ups which is every three to six months, regular brushing and flossing, frequent rinsing, and oral screening.
Hamad Medical Corporation, meanwhile, recommended the following: brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes; eat balanced healthy foods like vegetables, fruits, proteins; floss at least once daily; avoid unhealthy food; encourage your children for healthy balanced snack; drink plenty of water and drink milk and laban.
