Emergency dental treatment during COVID-19 pandemic

29 July 2022

Emergency dental treatment during COVID-19 pandemic

With the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the entire world has come to a standstill. The life of every individual, regardless of their stance in society, is adversely affected. But there are some other conditions that may arrive unannounced during this pandemic, and a dental emergency can be one of them. You might accidentally break a tooth, or your veneer may break. Any such condition may drive you towards panic because everyone is quarantined, and stepping out of your house in itself is pretty risky. You can undoubtedly not handle such mishaps at your home and need emergency dental treatment.

Considering the virulence of the infectivity of the Coronavirus, dental services, including all elective dental procedures, have been largely suspended.

However, to cater to your needs, an emergency dentist is available at Conway House in High Wycombe, whom you can consult in case you require urgent dental care.

To reach out, you can contact us on 07957 393 008.

You can also contact us by calling our reception at 01494 526 578.

So, if you are looking for an ’emergency dentist open 24 hours,’ Conway House is your desired dental office.

You can stay assured of the world-class quality of service along with the precautionary measures as per the guidelines.

The staff is specifically trained in the utmost care of safety and security by maintaining social distancing and wearing proper PPE.

So, you must identify what conditions are urgent and what are not and visit the emergency dentist only if it is imperative.

What are the risks associated with visiting during COVID-19?

Coronavirus is a new virus that is spread via the respiratory route. The virus is released when a person sneezes or coughs. These air droplets carrying the virus can infect you if you accidentally come in contact with them. This is why lockdown is recommended to stave off unnecessary outings.

The PPE, i.e., Personal Protective Equipment, is the most potent tool to avoid getting the infection. Not every person needs to recommended PPE; thus, stepping out of your house poses a risk.

What are non-urgent dental conditions?

Any discomfort might seem like an emergency, but there are a few dental conditions that do not necessarily require urgent dental care. These are elective procedures that can be delayed and performed later without posing any threat to the person’s overall health.

A few of these include:

• Routine dental/oral check-up: Although it is highly appreciable and recommended to visit the dentist for routine oral check-ups regularly, in such a situation of crisis, delaying this won’t cause any harm. You should take care of your oral hygiene at home.
• Asymptomatic dental caries: If you have dental caries, then it needs to be cleaned and filled. But, if it is not causing any symptoms, like pain or sensitivity, it can be delayed until the situation is better.
• Cosmetic Procedures: Cosmetic procedures such as teeth whitening are not necessarily urgent. However, if you have a filling that has spilt or a broken veneer, you may need to visit the dentist.
• Check-up for braces: If you need to get your progress of braces checked or you need your new set of clear aligners, then you will have to wait for some time because it is not considered an emergency.

What conditions require emergency dental treatment?

If you are under unbearable pain or a condition that, if not treated in time, may become life-threatening, in such a situation, visiting the dentist becomes imperative.

These conditions include:

• Severe pain: An unbearable pain of any kind can be a manifestation of a serious underlying problem, and if you can’t treat it at home, it becomes a dental emergency. You may have a pulpit or severe infection, which may spread if immediate intervention is not done.
• Uncontrollable haemorrhage: Bleeding due to any cause which is not controlled is a serious and life-threatening issue. Some children may get severe haemorrhage even after the primary tooth is broken. This happens in conditions where they suffer from bleeding disorders or if some blood vessel is damaged.
• Soft tissue biopsy: A Biopsy is needed in case of neoplasia. It is important to detect any malignancy at the earliest possible.
• Tender swelling in or around the mouth: A swelling with inflammation can be a painful condition. It may be an abscess that needs to be drained. If not treated, it may get necrotic and cause severe damage. Hence, this must be sought dental care as soon as possible. It also restricts movements of the mouth, and daily activities are hampered.
• Broken teeth or fractured teeth: After trauma, fractured teeth or chipped teeth may cause pain and restrict the functions of the mouth, like biting and chewing. Also, they can damage the surrounding soft tissues with their rugged edges.
• Oral Cancer follow-up: If you are on a treatment that is strictly scheduled, then you can visit the emergency dentist.
• Broken crowns or pathological dysfunction: A dental crown that is broken exposes the tissue beneath, which is prone to catching an infection, or it may develop sensitivity if nerve endings get exposed.
• Post-surgical care: Care after surgery that cannot be done at home requires prompt dental care. The surgically treated teeth are very delicate and, hence, should be handled only by experts.

What protective measures do you need to take?

In case of dental emergencies, when you have to go out, make sure to cover your nose and mouth thoroughly with a mask. You should go alone, and if you need company, maintain distance.

Wear latex gloves after washing or sanitising your hands. 

On our part, the dentists, as well as the staff, are using strict precautions which are recommended. The dental office is being cleaned thoroughly and regularly based on the guidelines. Only emergency services are under function, hence, any crowd is being avoided. You are recommended to maintain distance even by yourself.

So, there is no need to panic because even in this situation of crisis, we are ready to help and serve you.