How to Take Care of Your Teeth During COVID-19

Experiencing a dental injury or emergency can be concerning, especially during these trying times. While we have suspended all non-emergency dental treatments to help flatten the curve of COVID-19 outbreaks, we are always just a phone call away if you are experiencing a serious dental emergency. 

Dental emergencies can happen to anyone, at any given time, and such injury or damage to your teeth and gums can have potentially grave consequences. If you have recently suffered a dental injury, it’s important to contact our Calgary dentists as soon as possible. 

Ignoring a dental emergency is dangerous and can lead to: 

• Tooth loss
• Permanent damage 
• More extensive and expensive treatment down the road
• Difficulty eating and speaking 
• ​Lower quality of life 
   

Urgent Emergency Dental Services During COVID-19 

During this difficult time, our Calgary dentists are taking every precaution necessary to protect the health and well-being of our patients, staff, and community. While we have suspended all non-emergency dental treatments, we are prepared to assist our patients with any urgent conditions and concerns.  

Want to know more?  

CONTACT DR KOROL 
 

Will the COVID-19 Outbreak Impact My Dental Appointment? 

Effective March 17th 2020, the Alberta Dental Association issued a mandatory suspension of all non-emergency dental treatments and services in order to help slow the spread of COVID-19. If you did have an appointment with us, we will contact you to reschedule as soon as we are permitted to do so by the Alberta Dental Association, and when we deem it safe to provide treatment. 

Again, we thank you for your understanding and loyalty during this unprecedented and difficult time. 
 

Our Focus is on Emergency and Urgent Dental Care During This Time

Concentrating on emergency and urgent dental care during this time will allow us to care for our emergency patients and reduce the burden that dental emergencies would place on hospital emergency departments. 

What is Considered a Dental Emergency? 

If you are unsure of what constitutes a dental emergency and what treatments you can reschedule, you should contact your dental office. Your Calgary dentist is in the best position to determine if you need to be seen immediately. 

In the meantime, here is a simple guide:  

Dental Care You Can Reschedule 

• Regular visits for exams and cleanings
• Removal of teeth that aren’t painful
• Treatment of cavities that aren’t painful
• Teeth whitening

Urgent Dental Care 

• Bleeding that doesn’t stop
• Painful swelling in and around your mouth
• Gum infection with pain and swelling
• A broken or knocked-out tooth
• Pain in teeth or jaw bone
• ​After surgery treatment eg. if you need stitches removed or dressing changed
   

How to Look After Your Teeth During COVID-19 

We want our patients to continue prioritizing their dental health during this time, especially because your oral health is intertwined with your overall well-being. Here are some steps you can take at home to prevent future dental concerns:  
 

1. Eat a Healthy Diet. Try to monitor your intake of sticky, citrus, or sugary foods and beverages. Sodas, coffees, potato chips and candies can have a negative impact on your oral health and moderation is the best approach to avoiding plaque buildup and tooth staining caused by these foods and beverages. 

2. Practice Good Oral Hygiene: While your daily schedule might be thrown off right now, make sure to stick to your dental hygiene routine. This means brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day. Remember, good daily oral hygiene goes a long way in preventing long-term, more serious dental issues. 

3. Be Mindful and Calm. Teeth grinding is a very common reaction to stress and it can cause symptoms such as headaches, ear aches, and jaw pain, all of which you don’t want to deal with at the moment. Practice jaw exercises at home to reduce the tension in your mouth muscles and find ways to calm yourself and lower your stress levels. 
    

In Need of Urgent Dental Care? We’re Here to Help 

If you are experiencing a dental emergency, or have any questions about your dental care during this time, please contact Dr. Korol, who will make every effort to get back to you within a few hours. Please also be aware the list of emergency services that dentists are legally able to provide at this time is extremely limited. 

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, but we are doing our best to adhere to an ever-changing list of Alberta Dental Association mandates and play our part in flattening the curve of COVID-19 outbreaks. 

Thank you for your loyalty and understanding and we will continue to be vigilant with precautions to protect the health of all our patients. 

For any urgent dental care advice, contact us at 403-245-9099 or send an email to jackie@drkorol.com