COVID-19 has placed unprecedented pressure on health services worldwide, but it has also disrupted dentistry in the UK and other countries. During the initial national lockdown in spring-summer 2020, many dental procedures were postponed or cancelled due to concerns about spreading Coronavirus during close-up treatments.
Since that time, we have all learned a lot about how to mitigate the risks of spreading infection, and the New Year brought optimism in the form of the mass vaccination roll-out.
That means if you have suffered from delayed dental treatment due to COVID-19, now is the time to come forward and get your teeth fixed.
Did you neglect your oral health in lockdown?
Many people have struggled in different ways due to lockdown, and if you neglected your oral health and hygiene, you’re probably not alone.
Figures from the Oral Health Foundation show that even in normal times, many Brits don’t follow a comprehensive dental health plan:
- Two fifths (39%) don’t visit a dentist regularly
- One quarter (25%) don’t brush with fluoride toothpaste twice a day
- One third (33%) have never used dental floss or an interdental brush
- Two thirds (66%) have visible plaque
- More than three million regularly suffer toothache or mouth pain
Nobody should live in pain due to dental health problems – so if you’re suffering from toothache that arose during or before lockdown, don’t let COVID-19 stop you from seeking treatment.
Ten Dental + Facial are here, open for business, and ready to help.
Oral health in the fight against Coronavirus
Maintaining good oral health could actually help you to avoid becoming infected by Coronavirus, according to several studies conducted since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
Work is ongoing to demonstrate the protective properties of gargling with povidone iodine, which has demonstrated antiviral benefits in the past. Some studies have also found commercial mouthwashes such as Listerine can kill Coronavirus, although this is still the subject of some debate.
For the vast majority of people, using mouthwash on a daily basis will not have any ill effects, and should help to reduce oral bacteria and bad breath – so even if the COVID-19 benefits are not yet fully proven, gargling more often is a win-win.
Book an appointment at Ten Dental
At Ten Dental + Facial, we remain open for routine and emergency dental treatments, so there is no need to delay if you are suffering tooth pain, visible damage to teeth or you want to enquire about cosmetic dentistry.
We welcome all enquiries about our full range of dentistry and facial aesthetics procedures – so contact Ten Dental+Facial today and make sure your oral health is up to scratch.