#15 I’m stuck at home without a dentist. What do I do?
April 19, 2020
BLOG #22 “I’M STUCK AT HOME AND NEED A DENTIST. ANY ADVICE?” Dr. Spiker Davis D.D.S. 713-781-2800 In collaboration with Dr. John Seger M.D. Cardiologist 713-791-9444
I hope this blog finds you healthy. This pandemic is changing the way I practice and the way we access all health care. Dental care is No exception. As you may know, Dentists are no longer allowed to provide regular dental care. To some degree it changes from State to State, but many dentists are prevented from doing anything but emergency care and in some cases only life threatening procedures can be treated. However, if you are having pain, swelling in the mouth area, bleeding from your mouth or a broken tooth that is causing pain-Please call your dentist. If he is not allowed to treat you, he will guide you where to go. The main thing is-DON’T GO TO THE HOSPITAL until after you have contacted your dentist or your physician!
Why are dentists not allowed to treat patients during this stressful time? The main reason is that when dentists work in your mouth it is possible that they can produce aerosols (Droplets of water, saliva, blood) that can come from their air syringe or from their drill that operates in your mouth. If you obviously have the virus then the dentist can catch the virus and spread it to other patients. We can prevent a lot of this by wearing N95 masks, but they are in such short supply and most dentists can not get them. Until these lines of personal protection equipment open up, your dentist is barred from treating anything but emergencies.
All that being said, let’s discuss what to do if you have a problem and what you can do to avoid having problems. Let’s discuss prevention. First and foremost, lets discuss the basics that we all know. You must brush and floss after every meal. NOW IS NOT THE TIME SKIP THESE SIMPLE PROCEDURES. Also, avoid eating anything that is really hard (like ice and candy and really hard bread), really chewy things (like candy and gummy bears) and items loaded with sugar. Sugar can obviously lead to cavities, gum infections and the normal dental issues, but it can also lead to heart problems, diabetic problems and it can lower your immune systems. Also, if you have a night guard-WEAR IT! At this stressful time, I’m sure everyone is grinding their teeth. At this time, you need to buckle down and be the best you can be. WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH, THE TOUGH GET GOING. WINSTON CHURCHHILL ONCE SAID-“IF YOU’RE GOING THROUGH HELL, KEEP GOING.
Next, let’s discuss what to do if or when you have a problem. First and foremost, don’t be too tough. If you are having a problem, then call your dentist. He knows what he is allowed to treat and if it is out of what is allowed he will know who to refer you to. If you don’t have a dentist and you are having severe pain or swelling then call an Endodontist or Oral Surgeon. DON’T GO TO THE HOSPITAL WITHOUT CONTACTING YOUR DENTIST OR YOUR PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER. Listed below are some common problems and what to do
Broken tooth or a filling falls out-if it is not painful you can do some simple things. Use a candle to get some wax. Make a ball of wax and place it the hole or the broken area. This is a temporary fix, but it works for a few hours. You can also go to the pharmacy and they usually have some form of a temporary filling. Ask the pharmacist what they recommend. If you choose to put nothing in the hole, make sure you brush the area extremely well and keep it clean.
If a crown comes off or a filling or some restoration comes off or falls out. You can glue most restorations back into your mouth with Elmer’s school glue. It is safe to swallow and it works ok. It is always possible to go to the pharmacy and they have a temporary glue of some kind. Please don’t leave the crown or filling off as your tooth will move and then the restoration will no longer fit. GET IT BACK ON IMMEDIATELY. CALL YOUR DENTIST.
IF YOU HAVE SWELLING OR SEVERE PAIN, CALL YOUR DENTIST ASAP.
IF YOU ARE NOT IN PAIN YOU CAN PROBABLY WAIT TILL THIS IS OVER TO FIX THE PROBLEM BUT IF THERE IS ANY DOUBT, CALL YOU DENTIST!!
SUMMARY-Brush and floss after every meal. Don’t eat sweets, hard things or chewy things. Wear your night guard as we are all grinding our teeth. Call your dentist if you have a problem. Call your primary care provider for anything else. DON’T GO TO THE HOSPITAL WITHOUT CALLING YOUR DENTIST OR YOUR PHYSICIAN! WASH YOUR HANDS, WASH YOUR HANDS SOME MORE AND THEN WASH AGAIN. AVOID CROWDS AND FOLLOW SOCIAL DISTANCING. HUNKER DOWN!
Common signs of the infection are similar to the flu and include a cough, fever, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing. If it worsens, it can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death. Transmission is from coughs, sneezes or touching contaminated objects.
Since there is no available vaccine, the CDC recommends the following preventive measures
Wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your mouth and nose or face.
Wear N95 or higher respirators
Avoid large crowds as this increases the risk of catching a virus.
Try not to visit anyone that is sick.
Be cautious of anyone who has traveled recently.
In our opinion if you develop a fever and or a dry cough with any sore throat please contact and see your physician immediately. Drink plenty of water and take pain and fever medications.
