Every dental practice staff member knows the true lynchpin of the operation is the office manager.  This multi-skilled superstar must keep on top of the day-to-day running of the business, manage a team of disparate individuals, keep stock levels up to date, check insurance claims are being pursued in a timely manner and keep an eye on the bottom line.

Combining the job descriptions of logistics expert, sergeant major, accountant and agony aunt takes an incredibly special individual.  If you find a talented office manager, hold onto them with everything you’ve got. If your office manager isn’t properly supported, their effectively spinning plates and it’s only a matter of time before one comes crashing down! 

Three areas for immediate improvement

In what ways can you help this most crucial staff member manage their workload and keep everything running smoothly? It comes down to three things:

1. Time management – allocating their responsibilities effectively
2. Process support – providing software or serviced solutions that make day to day operations simpler
3. Financial management – feeling secure that things are on an even keel

With the above in mind, we’ve put together eight tips to help you support your office manager.

Eight strategies to help your office manager

1) Keep them off the phone

Ideally your office manager should not be covering the phones at all. They need to have an overview of the business. Instead, it’s your receptionist’s responsibility to help patients with booking appointments or spending time on the phone with insurance companies. Remember, it’s more cost-effective to hire extra reception staff than replace a burnt-out OM.

2) Automate or find faster solutions to routine activities

Insurance verification is one of the most mundane and repetitive tasks involved in running a dental practice.  

As the office manager staff at Waterview Dental reports: “One of the key time consumers for receptionists is insurance verification. Freeing up time from the receptionist in verifying insurance may be one of the keys to improving overall office efficiency.”

Your office manager and reception staff should not need to chase after patients’ eligibility. Fortunately, there are solutions that allow you to outsource insurance verification and billing claims. You can pre-verify patients before they turn up for their appointments and keep your office manager off of the phone with insurance companies.

3) Know the bottom line

Regularly check the practice’s financial performance against hard targets. This is perhaps the most important responsibility of a good practice manager. It may seem complex and stressful working out how the business is doing, but in fact it’s straightforward arithmetic. 

There are around 192 working days in the year for the typical dentist. Your practice should have at least an annual target but a monthly target is much more effective (T). Let’s say you have two hygienists pulling in a set amount per day (H). The daily target for your doctors’ daily billings is therefore:

T – (H*192) + 10%) / 192

The 10% is margin for error and allows for contingencies you can’t predict.  

4) Reinvent team roles

 Firstly, look at what aspects of your office manager’s role properly belong to administrators, reception staff or hygienists. It’s all too common for the OM role to become a catch-all for tasks that nobody else wants to do.

Secondly, start to think of your team as sharing in revenue generation. You can use automation and data pushed to desktops and even smartphones to demonstrate to assistants, hygienists, and doctors how they are performing and where they might upsell or prevent that most costly of syndromes – cancellations.

5) Invest in solutions

Proactively research ways to support them with software or outsourced services that optimize day to day efficiency. Whether it’s sending email marketing campaigns to customers, or scheduling appointment reminders or follow-up appointment prompts by text, there are straightforward and effective technological solutions to help generate revenue and keep those bookings rolling in.

6) Develop a claims schedule

Rather than applying an ad hoc approach to revenue protection, set aside a regular time slot each day, or each week, to chase up unreimbursed claims. This will improve cash flow, reducing anxiety. Revenue cycle management is key to a practice’s ongoing performance, and the good news is that much of this can be optimized through software solutions too.

7) Provide continual professional development

Make sure your office manager has protected time to keep up to date with new billing codes, new business practices, and developments within the industry. This ensures they remain integrated in the success of the business, and able to relay news to the team at the regular team meetings we sincerely hope you’re having!

8) Stick to tangible goals

Specified, concrete KPIs that can be measured are infinitely preferable to vague objectives. Make sure your OM buys into this process and that they devise a realistic set of goals against which to measure practice performance.  Reviews should take place at regular intervals. Remember, you are not primarily measuring their performance, but rather the success of the business.

Bonus tip: talk about it

And one more thing… when everyone’s frantically busy it can be hard to find time to take stock. But you need to do this. If it means closing the office for a Team Building Day, so be it.  

Perhaps you can combine a fun morning activity with open and honest conversation in the afternoon. It’s best not to attempt both simultaneously, however – it can be hard to offer meaningful criticism when you’re dodging paintball bullets or riding the rapids!

There should be no hierarchies at play when talking openly – and no consequences (other than business improvement) for anyone speaking their mind. If problems are brought up, make the conversation about ideas and creative solutions, rather than blame allocation.

Once you’ve talked about the practice, what’s working and what’s not, you should see an immediate boost in morale. Now everyone owns the solutions you’ve jointly agreed on.

Follow these tips and your office manager (and the rest of the team) will feel the benefit.

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JUMP TO: Canker Sores / Cold Sores / Leukoplakia / Oral Lichen Planus / Oral Thrush / Book a dentist online to diagnose

Is the inside of your mouth feeling uncomfortable? Do you notice painful white patches in your mouth? There are many reasons for these pesky white spots. And yes, while left untreated they may go away, however these white patches can be connected to health conditions that will need to be treated by either your doctor or dentist. If you noticed any of the symptoms above, keep reading to find out how you can get them under control.

Identifying your white patches

Canker Sores and Cold sores

Canker sores also called apthous ulcers, are often confused with cold sores, but they are completely different. A canker sore is an ulcer that develops on the inside of your mouth. A cold sore is a viral infection,  found on the outside of the mouth, usually the lips, and appears as a small fluid like blister. Unlike a canker sore, a cold sore is caused by the herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) and can be easily spread if left untreated. A canker sore is more of a painful annoyance which can be left untreated.

Canker sores are one of the most common mouth complaints. Most people who have canker sores only experience them infrequently; however, around 20% to 30% have recurrent outbreaks. You might notice that a canker sores pops up three or four times a year and lasts for about a week. Complex canker sores are larger, more painful, and may last up to a month.

Causes of Canker Sores

Many things can cause a canker sore like: hormonal changes, stress, and physical mouth trauma Certain foods can also cause canker sores like  citrus fruits. Vitamin deficiencies, such as vitamin B12, iron, folic acid, and zinc can also add to the problem.

Symptoms of Canker Sores

Canker sores form on the soft tissues of the mouth and gums. They are round or oval, and the edges are red, while the center is white or slightly yellow. You may feel a burning or tingling sensation before onset. Another symptom is a stinging pain, especially when you talk or eat.

Treatments for Canker Sores

To help treat your canker sores, rinse your mouth with saltwater or a baking soda and water mix. You can also put a small amount of milk of magnesia directly onto the sore. Both of these  methods can be done several times per day.

You should make a dentist appointment if your symptoms last over two weeks, get worse with home remedies, occur several times per year, or are severe. If your canker sores are combined with symptoms such as headache, fever, diarrhea, or skin rash, seek medical attention. Treatments for canker sores are aimed to ease the symptoms, reduce inflammation, and prevent secondary effects, such as a bacterial infection. They don’t guarantee you won’t develop these ulcers again in the future.

You may be prescribed one of three things to treat the infection and relieve pain like a steroid mouth rinse, anesthetics, or antibiotics to reduce inflammatory irritation.

Canker Sores Prevention

In general, canker sores are difficult to predict and prevent. Fortunately, once they’ve appeared, there are ways to ensure the situation doesn’t worsen. Try to avoid contact with your canker sores. Don’t continually touch them with your tongue and be careful when brushing your teeth. Avoid spicy, hot, and acidic foods and beverages. Also try not to eat sharp foods, such as chips.

Cold sores

Leukoplakia

Leukoplakia should be taken seriously. While the majority of leukoplakia cases are benign, some can be precancerous.

Causes of Leukoplakia

Chewing tobacco and chronic smoking might cause leukoplakia, among other dental issues. Ill-fitting dentures, HIV or AIDS, and sun exposure to your lips have also been shown as possible causes of leukoplakia. In rare cases, oral cancer can be connected to leukoplakia as well.

Symptoms of Leukoplakia

Thick, white patches in your mouth that cannot be easily scraped off is the main symptom of leukoplakia. These patches can be flat or irregularly-shaped and tend to harden or thicken r over time. In severe cases, you may experience mild discomfort or pain when swallowing. Red lesions (erythroplakia) may appear. Leukoplakia with red lesions is more likely to be cancerous or precancerous.

Treatments for Leukoplakia

Anybody who has been diagnosed with leukoplakia, should stop using tobacco products immediately. If it’s determined your leukoplakia is caused by ill-fitting dentures, a rough tooth, or an irregular filling surface, a dentist can fix that problem. In the case a weakened immune system is contributing to your leukoplakia, you might be prescribed antiviral medications or topical treatments.

It’s important for your dentist or doctor to take a biopsy of your leukoplakia to rule out cancer. If necessary, it will be removed through oral surgery.

Leukoplakia Prevention

Once you have had leukoplakia, it can come back again. We suggest booking a follow-up appointment with your doctor and dentist.

Quitting both tobacco use and smoking is one of the best ways to prevent leukoplakia. Maintaining good oral hygiene goes a long way towards preventing leukoplakia. Another tip is to reduce alcohol and eat a diet rich in antioxidants.

Oral lichen planus

Oral lichen planus is an autoimmune condition characterized by the inflammation of mucous membranes in your mouth. Lichen planus can affect any lining mucosa, such as esophageal or vaginal mucosa, but it most commonly affects the oral cavity. Only 2 % of the population (and mainly older women) suffer from Oral lichen plus.

Causes of Oral lichen planus

Some experts suspect genetics and immunity may play a role. Others believe lichen planus might be an autoimmune disorder or a cell-mediated immune response. There’s been documented connections between oral lichen planus and the use of beta-blockers and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Symptoms of Oral lichen planus

Oral lichen planus causes white, lacy patches to form. Other symptoms include burning pain, bleeding gums while eating or brushing teeth, redness, open sores, and swelling. You might also experience a sensitivity to acidic or hot food.

Treatments for Oral lichen planus

Although there’s no cure for oral lichen planus, the symptoms can be managed. A dentist or doctor may prescribe topical, oral, or injectable corticosteroids to reduce inflammation. You may also be prescribed numbing gels to help decrease any pain.

Additionally, some people may receive medications to suppress or control the immune system. Be aware oral lichen planus can raise your risk of secondary infections, nutritional deficiencies, and oral cancer. It’s highly recommended for those with oral lichen planus to have regular checkups.

Oral lichen planus Prevention

Although oral lichen planus may not be totally prevented, you can lower your risk of developing it by eating a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables and by limiting alcohol and tobacco use.

Oral Thrush

Everyone has a small amount s of the candida fungus in their mouths, digestive tracts, and skin. These are kept at healthy levels by other bacteria and microorganisms. However, this balance can get thrown off and  if the fungus candida grows too much, you can develop oral thrush.

Causes of Oral Thrush

There are several reasons you might develop oral thrush (a candida overgrowth) such as:  medications like antibiotics, birth control pills, and corticosteroids.. You can also develop oral thrush if you have cancer, uncontrolled diabetes, HIV infection, dry mouth, or are pregnant.

If you smoke, wear improperly-fitted dentures, are breastfeeding an infected baby, or have poor oral hygiene a candida overgrowth can occur

Symptoms of Oral Thrush

Oral thrush can appear as white sores that are slightly raised with a cottage cheese appearance.Typically the sores appear on the tongue or inner cheeks, but can be found on the gums, tonsils, roof of the mouth, or back of the throat.

Oral thrush may give you a cotton-like feeling in your mouth. It can cause irritation,pain, a loss of taste, redness, and cracking or bleeding at the corner of your mouth. If you notice these symptoms, get yourself to the dentist or your family doctor.

Treatments for Oral Thrush

Remedies that help  fight oral thrush include gargling with salt water, quitting or reducing tobacco use, limiting sugar, and using an antibacterial mouthwash. Your dentist or doctor may also prescribe you an antifungal medication.

Oral thrush may be a symptom of another medical problem, your dentist may recommend speaking with a doctor about any possible underlying health issues.

Oral Thrush Prevention

Good oral hygiene is the best way to prevent oral thrush.

Brush and floss daily, if you wear dentures, clean them every day, and make sure to see a dentist regularly. If you use a corticosteroid inhaler, make sure to rinse your mouth after taking the medication. Treat vaginal yeast infections quickly. Limit your sugar intake, and if you have diabetes, make sure to keep your blood sugar levels stable.

Worried About White Patches?

Want to once-and-for-all to determine the cause of the white patches in your mouth? Start by finding a dentist in your area with Opencare.

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JUMP TO:  What are tonsil stones / Causes and Symptoms / Bad breath / Home remedies / Professional remedies / Prevention / Book a dentist online to diagnose

Small but mighty, our tonsils are an important part of our body’s immune system and can develop tonsil stones if you’re not careful.

We have three different types of tonsils—the palatine tonsils, the adenoids, and the lingual tonsils. However, our palatine tonsils are the only ones that can easily be seen through an open mouth. These soft, oval-shaped tissue masses are located in the back of your throat.

Tonsils are made of tissue similar to our lymph nodes and are coated with pink mucosa. They contain white blood cells that defend against bacteria and viruses that enter through your nose and mouth. Tonsils also help keep foreign objects from reaching our lungs.

What are tonsil stones?

Tonsils have tonsillar crypts which are like pits, crevices, or tunnels. Tonsil stones, also called tonsilloliths, are white or yellow formations made up of bacteria and live biofilm that get stuck in these tonsillar crypts and harden.

And they can be dangerous when not dealt with properly. Here’s everything you need to know about how to keep your tonsils healthy and what to do if you are affected by tonsil stones.

Causes and symptoms of tonsil stones

What causes tonsil stones? Tonsil stones may be caused by poor dental hygiene, large tonsils, chronic tonsillitis (inflamed tonsils), or chronic sinus issues. Debris in your tonsil crypts, whether it be particles of food from insufficient teeth cleaning or mucus from postnasal drip, can also cause tonsil stones. Some sources say around 8 percent of the population has tonsil stones, while other studies claim as many as 30 percent of people have them.

Tonsil stones causes can root from genetic factors. You’re at an increased risk to develop tonsil stones if you’re between the ages of 20 to 40. Women are around 33 percent more likely to get tonsil stones than men. People are more prone to tonsil stones if they have dry mouth, postnasal drip, overactive salivary glands, infections, or recurrent tonsillitis. In fact, a study published in the British Dental Journal discovered that 75 patients in the study who had tonsillitis also had tonsil stones. Only 6 percent didn’t develop tonsil stones as a result of this inflammation.

Frequently, people with tonsil stones don’t even realize they have them. That’s because the size and location of tonsils stones affect the symptoms they cause. They can range from the size of a grain of rice to a grape—with the smaller ones less likely to cause any symptoms. Small tonsil stones may even  be swallowed or coughed up without the person noticing. However, if you cough up tonsil stones, you’ll likely notice the smell right away. The larger ones are easier to detect as they can cause your tonsils to become inflamed and tend to smell noticeably unpleasant.

Why do tonsil stones make your breath small bad?

Sometimes, tonsil stones smell. Tonsil stones have a foul odor because they have a high amount of sulfur. According to a study conducted at the National Center for Biotechnology Information, 75 percent of people with uncommonly high quantities of sulfur in their mouths have tonsil stones. Tonsil stones raise your chances of bad breath by up to 10 times. Tonsil stones smell bad and can make your breath also suffer.

In addition to chronic bad breath, common symptoms of tonsil stones include white or yellow spots on tonsils, a sore or restricted throat, swollen tonsils, a feeling that something is stuck in your throat, ear pain, and/or difficulty swallowing. One might also experience coughing or a metallic taste in the mouth.

Tonsil stone pain can even spread to your ear and create a chronic earache. This is because your tonsils are connected to your ears by the glossopharyngeal nerve, which is commonly referred to as Jacobson’s nerve.

Symptoms that require medical attention include (but aren’t necessarily limited to): pus from the tonsil area, severely enlarged or very red tonsils, bleeding tonsils, breathing issues, pain (especially if uneven on each side), swallowing problems, and a sore throat of over a month.

Serious tonsil stone complications are rare, but do occur. It’s possible for your tonsils to become deeply infected or for large tonsil stones to damage tonsil tissue, so err on the side of caution when dealing with large tonsil stones.

How to get rid of tonsil stones

Tonsil stone removal can be tricky. Often, tonsil stones will dislodge on their own. If they don’t naturally dislocate and are painful or have a foul odor, it’s possible to remove them at home.

Gargles

Many people try to manually remove their stones with a toothbrush, but this isn’t recommended as your tonsils are delicate. Using rough items could cause bleeding or an infection. Tonsil stone removal should be very carefully tried at home, but seek professional help if you find at home remedies are not working.

Gargling with salt water, a nonalcoholic mouthwash, or diluted apple cider vinegar can help with any smell and possibly dislodge the stones. Some people choose oxygenating mouthwashes containing chlorine dioxide and natural zinc compounds. These are strong and should be used sparingly—not more than once or twice a week. Coughing, whether natural or forced, also tends to loosen up and helps remove tonsil stones.

Water flossing or Waterpik

A low-pressure water irrigator, such as a water flosser, is another useful tool for dislodging tonsil stones, as well as prevent new ones from developing.

To remove your stones with a water flosser, carefully aim the flosser towards the tonsil stones. Put it at the lowest setting and test to make sure it isn’t too painful. Do this in a well-lit area and be aware they may fall to the back of your throat. It isn’t dangerous to swallow tonsil stones, but it can be unpleasant to do so. Don’t use this method on children as they could choke.

See a dentist

If your tonsil stones are large or persistent, you may need help from a doctor or dentist to remove them. An official tonsil stones diagnosis can be challenging because the stones can hide in the folds of your tonsils. However, tonsil stones can show up in dental X-rays or a CT scan.

The first course of action is sometimes antibiotics because they decrease the amount of bacteria tonsil stones need to grow. However, antibiotics are more for tonsil stone management than a long-lasting cure and have side effects. You may need to see a dentist or doctor to prescribe pain medication if it gets unbearable.

Laser tonsil cryptolysis

Another option is laser tonsil cryptolysis. In this procedure, you’re often given local anesthesia before a laser is used to remove the crypts where the tonsil stones are lodged. This procedure is low in pain and recovery time is usually speedy. There is a slight risk of an airway fire (a surgical fire that occurs in an airway) or receiving oral or facial burns.

Coblation Cryptolysis

If lasers make you nervous, you can have tonsil stones removed with coblation cryptolysis (radio frequencies) that involves no heat. This method also removes tonsil crypts, but by changing a salt solution into charged ions that cut through the tonsil tissue. One session can significantly decrease stones or eliminate the current ones completely. Recovery takes only a few days.

Tonsillectomy

As a final resort, a medical professional may recommend a tonsillectomy. These are less common than they were in the past. Today, only severe or chronic cases require this procedure. And while it’s more common for children to have tonsillectomies, it’s also possible for adults.

To qualify for a tonsillectomy, you need to have seven cases of tonsillitis or strep throat within one year. During a tonsillectomy, your tonsils are surgically removed with a scalpel, coblation device, or laser. In addition to helping with tonsil stones, tonsillectomies can help with tonsillitis (infection of the tonsils), quinsy (recurring abscesses near tonsils), and some instances of obstructive sleep apnea.

Depending on your situation, you might also get your adenoids removed. Signs of enlarged adenoids include breathing through the mouth, a nasal-sounding voice, noisy breathing, and snoring. This procedure is called an adenotonsillectomy. Patients typically have trouble swallowing and a sore throat for a few days following the procedure and may continue to have some pain for a week or two. Bleeding is another possible side effect.

How long do tonsil stones last?

Tonsil stones usually dislodge on their own over a few weeks. Sometimes, a person can cough and dislodge the tonsil stone. However, if the problem persists, we recommend you see a dentist to discuss possible treatments.

How to prevent tonsil stones

A tonsillectomy is the only way to completely prevent tonsil stones, but as previously mentioned, this is only done after other methods have failed to eliminate your stones.

Maintaining good oral hygiene is one of the best methods anyone can use to prevent tonsil stones. In addition to brushing your teeth twice daily, make sure to brush your tongue to remove bacteria. Alternatively, consider using a tongue scraper. Limit smoking, dairy products, and alcohol.

It is important to see a dentist frequently in order to maintain good oral hygiene. 

Smoking and alcohol can dry out your mouth and this can raise the chances of tonsil stones building up. Increase your water intake to stay hydrated and wash away food particles in your throat. Either gargle with salt water or use a water flosser to rinse bacteria off of your tonsils every week. If you have postnasal drip often, clean out your nasal passages.

Need Help?

Without surgery, you can’t completely prevent tonsil stones. But the good news is that, in many cases, tonsil stones show no symptoms and can be naturally eliminated without you realizing you had them at all.

However, as we’ve explored here today, it’s also possible for tonsil stones to be large and painful.

To help prevent these stones, try various mouth rinses and have high standards for your oral hygiene. If you still develop painful tonsil stones, you can try to remove them naturally with a water flosser or gargling. Alternatively, a professional can prescribe antibiotics, perform laser tonsil cryptolysis, use coblation cryptolysis, or conduct a tonsillectomy.

If you aren’t sure whether you’re suffering from tonsil stones or what to do about the ones you have, it’s time to check in with a dental professional. Find personalized dental care that’s approachable, convenient, and focused on you by signing up for Opencare right now.

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The COVID-19 pandemic snuck up on the entire world and changed the way we live, work, and function. Instead of just getting ready and going out to run errands, now you need to wear a mask, make sure you aren’t near other people, and avoid certain spaces. 

And now, your dentist appointment is coming up, and you aren’t sure what to do. We understand your concern. Let’s look into safety around going to the dentist during the COVID-19 pandemic and the importance of protecting your oral health in these challenging times. 

Are dentists open now?

Dentist offices across the United States and Canada are open now, but they were shut down for a few months last spring.

The novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, has spread across the world within a few months, and local governments were forced to shut down many businesses. Dentist offices were no exception. On March 16, 2020, the American Dental Association (ADA) issued a statement wherein they recommended the dental practices postpone elective dental procedures until April 6, 2020. The CDA and associated provincial bodies issued a similar statement in April in Canada.

Due to the increased number of infections, the ADA updated their recommendation on April 1 and advised offices to remain closed to all except emergency and urgent procedures. The updated recommendation was meant to be in force until April 30, 2020. Due to these decisions, access to dental care was limited to millions of people in the US. 

The ADA Health Policy Institute launched a biweekly poll the week of March 26. The main objective was to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on dental practices. Results showed 76% of dentists they surveyed had closed their practices to all but emergency cases. Additionally, 19% indicated their dental practices were closed entirely, while 5% were open but had a lower patient volume than usual. Unsurprisingly, 0% of surveyed practices were open or had patient volume as usual.

Although dental practices were allowed to reopen in late spring of 2020, this varied according to state and provincial  government policies. While they managed to bounce back, dental practices still need to adhere to certain measures and criteria in order to help prevent COVID-19 from spreading and from providing safety to their patients.

Are dentists open everywhere?

Yes, as mentioned above, dental offices across the United States and Canada are open. This is unlikely to  change in places or states with a higher number of COVID-19 cases, as it has been shown in numerous studies that a dental office environment is extremely safe and not a vector for COVID-19 transmission.

For example, a shelter-in-place order issued on November 13 in New Mexico shut down nonessential in-person activities, but the decision was vague in terms of dentists. Instead, dentists were urged to use their professional judgment when responding to the status of the pandemic in their area. After a two-week order, the state promised to enact a tiered response system on December 2, thus allowing counties to lift restrictions after meeting certain health criteria.

Moreover, restrictions issued on November 15 for the next four weeks in Washington related to social gatherings and other activities do not place limitations on dental care.

To sum it up dentists are an essential service.  A lot was learnt in the Spring of 2020 when offices were forced to shut down.  With limited options on dental care there was an increase in Hospital emergency room visits for dental emergencies, and patients simply had to live with pain due to the inability to find a dentist accepting patients. Is it safe to go to the dentist during the COVID-19 pandemic?

As COVID-19 cases are still numerous and new infections happen daily in nearly every region, it’s easy to assume any public place or business is not the safest environment, the dental office included. You may even feel scared to schedule the appointment because you don’t want to get infected. However, dental offices are largely considered safer spaces, especially with extra precautionary measures the dentists have employed.  To date, no where in the world has a dental office been a source of COVID transmission due to dentistry being performed.

In fact, a survey by the ADA indicates less than 1% of dentists across the US have tested positive for COVID-19. Even though some reports described dentistry as one of the high-risk professions for COVID-19 spreading, a survey by ADA shows the prevalence of infections is low. What’s more, 99% of dentists are using enhanced infection control procedures such as screening protocols and amplified disinfection practices when treating their patients. The survey focused on 2200 dentists in June and found that 82% of them were asymptomatic for one month before the survey. Also, 16.6% reported getting a COVID-19 test. These findings are important because they help demonstrate their commitment to the highest levels of patient care.

While it may seem surprising only 1% of dentists tested positive, when you dig deeper, it may not seem like such a big shock after all. Dentists prioritize the safety of their patients, regularly disinfect all the surfaces, and protect themselves while treating patients. During the pandemic, they have taken COVID-19 infections seriously and closely adhered to guidelines issued by the ADA and the CDC. Their adherence to these guidelines helps dentists to keep the dental team and their patients as safe as possible.

The risk of getting infected by a dentist is very low. You see, the dentist wears a mask, eye protection, gloves, and other pieces of protective gear, thus making the risk of infection minimal. Plus, the rates of infected dentists are low, and an infected dentist wouldn’t be going to work. 

Always keep in mind that although dental professionals are at high risk of getting infected, the prevalence of infections is low, and it’s all because of measures they implement to keep their environment safe. Dentists are experts in infection control and maintain the highest standards of care. They started amplifying their precautions in the mid-80s during the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Why is it important to see the dentist?

COVID-19 pandemic and limited movements or socializing options should not stop you from seeing the dentist. Your teeth and gums won’t pause and wait for the pandemic to be over. If neglected, they may develop various problems, including gum disease and cavities. 

Additionally, delaying routine care and checkup may create other healthcare problems. Gum disease is associated with a higher risk of developing chronic conditions such as heart disease. Gum disease can also increase the risk of lung infection and can lead to tooth loss.

Your checkups are also important for oral cancer detection. Oral cancer is a serious disease that manifests itself through various symptoms. Early detection is crucial for successful treatment and recovery. The best way to detect oral cancer early is to see your dentist regularly.

And regular dental cleanings can prevent tartar from eroding your teeth or creating tiny holes in them. As a result, regular checkups at the dentist’s office can help you prevent cavities. After all, cavities do not usually give warning signs as they develop and when untreated, they hurt.

In a nutshell, despite the challenges the COVID-19 pandemic brings along, we still need to care for our gums and teeth, protect them, and thereby support our health. 

What are dental offices doing to prevent the spread of COVID-19?

Although dental offices are safer, dentists, and staff members across the country have implemented various measures to ensure dental offices remain a safe place for patients. 

The protocol has changed significantly in dental practices because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of the most common changes include:

• Dentists are seeing fewer patients at a time and asking people to enter alone to reduce each patient’s potential number of interactions with others.
• The nurse takes a patient’s temperature as soon as they enter the office.
• Waiting room chair setup may be different than it used to be, as dental offices aim to ensure the patients maintain social distancing. Not only are chairs farther apart from one another, but the number of chairs is usually lower now.
• Dentists wear several layers of personal protective equipment such as N95 masks. These masks decrease aerosols dentists inhale during the procedure but also protect patients from things they exhale.
• Dentists and nurses also wear face shields to ensure saliva or blood doesn’t reach their eyes.
• During the treatment, dentists may use rubber dental dams on patients. 
• To prevent the spread of COVID-19, the surfaces and tools in dental offices are disinfected more often.
• The tools are cleaned, covered, and replaced between uses.
• Patients need to wear a mask when entering the building or while sitting in a waiting room.
• Dentists may tell patients not to arrive at the appointment too early. If your appointment is scheduled at 10 am, strive to come to the office at that time rather than 9:20 or 9:30.
• Patients often have to wait outside until it’s their turn.
• Many dental practices get rid of objects that people in waiting rooms frequently touch, like magazines or toys. 

What should I know before visiting the dentist?

In these challenging times of pandemics, staying safe is your number one priority. When you protect yourself, you also get to protect family members, friends, and those around you. 

The dental office where you schedule an appointment may call you and ask questions about general health. This is done to ensure patients who arrive for their appointments are healthy. You can expect the dentist to repeat these questions upon arrival to make sure nothing has changed since the call. Keep in mind honesty is crucial here. Your health and safety of personnel and other patients depend on the trustworthiness of your answers.

For added convenience, below is the list of things you need to know before visiting the dentist during COVID-19:

• If you experience symptoms of COVID-19, you should cancel the appointment immediately. Symptoms of novel coronavirus include fever, dry cough, tiredness, aches and pains, loss of taste and smell, sore throat, among others. Instead of going to the dentist’s appointment, you need to contact your family doctor or a hospital near you and make sure to get tested. If you’re negative to COVID-19, you can schedule the appointment again. On the flip side, if you’re positive, then you can do so once you recover.
• Get informed whether the dental office has specific precaution measures to which you need to adhere when you arrive. For example, some dental offices may ask patients to limit the number of people you bring to the appointment. You may need to leave your children at home, so it’s good to know these things in order to plan your day accordingly.
• Wear a mask in public and when you arrive at your appointment. Remember, a face mask protects you and the people around you. They have become mandatory for most places, and it’s highly likely your dental office will remind you not to forget your mask.

IMPORTANT: If you start experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 within two days after the appointment, make sure to call the dental office. Why? If you’ve been (unknowingly) infected at the time of your appointment, dental staff were exposed and will need to self-isolate and get tested. This is done to prevent spreading the infection to other patients. 

Where can I find a dentist near me?

COVID-19 pandemic changed our lives in many ways, but one thing should remain constant – your dental hygiene. Regular checkups are important for healthy teeth and gums. If you’re looking for a dentist near you, make sure to check out Opencare.com. The platform allows you to find a dentist easily. Scheduling an appointment here is the best way to get a much-needed checkup or dental treatment in the safest way possible, as dentists follow all the safety protocols. It has never been easier to find reliable dentists than it is now, and you can do it in a matter of seconds at Opencare. 

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The post Is it safe to go to the dentist during COVID-19? appeared first on The Floss By Opencare.

The human body is a wonder! But it does hurt a lot, and sometimes health problems seem to arise out of thin air. Tooth pain is one of those ailments that can really take you by surprise, if you do not keep up with your routine dental appointments!  This is just another reason to make sure you go regularly to get your teeth cleaned, and have routine dental checks.

When our teeth hurt, it affects how and what we eat. From mild sensitivity to severe tooth pain, there’s a range of all the tooth feels you may face. And depending on its severity, it may indicate you have underlying oral health problems. The first step to solving any problem is identifying it, then you can start to seek treatment.

Why do my teeth hurt?

Your teeth hurt because of the numerous pain receptors present in the interior layers of your teeth. They essentially hurt because there’s a problem and your body wants you to fix it.

What are the symptoms of tooth pain?

Weird question, right? Well, not exactly. There’s more to tooth pain than just pain in your teeth. Other symptoms can include trouble chewing, ear pain, swollen gums, and headaches. Some of these will occur only during chewing; others may be constant. 

What does throbbing tooth pain indicate?

Throbbing toothache pain can mean multiple things. It may mean you have tooth damage. It can also be a sign of tooth decay or cavities. Furthermore, it can be a symptom of an infection in the tooth or the gums around it.

If you have throbbing tooth pain, it means there is some damage to your teeth and you should make a dentist appointment.

Why does my pain come and go?

Intermittent sharp pain can be triggered by opening your mouth too wide or eating something cold. The most common causes of sharp pain that comes and goes are cracked teeth, cavities, or abscesses.

Why are my teeth sensitive all of a sudden?

Sensitive teeth can be a huge annoyance. They can rid you of the ability to enjoy coffee, ice cream, and more of your favorite foods. Sudden tooth pain or sensitivity can be caused by any of the following:

• Teeth whitening products
• Eating a lot of hard foods
• Eating ice
• Gum infection
• Gingivitis or periodontitis (Periodontal disease)
• Inflammation of the tooth pulp (Pulpitis)
• Teeth grinding or clenching (Bruxism)
• Cavities
• Cracked teeth
• Eating disorders (Bulimia)
• Cold weather
• Sinus infection or sinusitis
• Stress

Causes of toothache tooth decay

The most common cause of tooth pain is decay. There are multiple levels to it, ranging from mild to severe. If tooth decay is left untreated it will lead to a tooth abscess. 

Cavities are holes in your teeth. These holes go through the enamel and the dentin layers. Since the underlying layers have a lot of blood vessels and are incredibly sensitive, any exposure can cause pain.

An abscess is an infection as a result of untreated cavity. The pain from an abscess can be intense if it is acute of nature.  If chronic in nature it will give you a dull continuous ache…. To treat an abscessed tooth, your dentist may drain the abscess. Once a tooth is abscessed, or cavity is inside the nerve or pulp of a tooth the only possible treatments are a root canal or a tooth extraction.

Tooth damage

Tooth damage is also a common cause of sensitivity. The term refers to chipped or broken teeth. Also, tooth loss, damaged or broken teeth fillings, implants, and crowns may also cause pain.

Gum disease

Gingivitis is a very common gum disease.  It causes redness and swelling of the gums and can cause pain and sensitivity.  If left untreated gingivitis can cause periodontitis or loss of bone around the teeth.  Periodontitis is irreversible, and will cause pain and swelling of gums and sensitivity to the teeth. and leads to infection and tooth loss if untreated.  Whereas gingivitis is reversible with proper treatment periodontitis is irreversible and results in permanent bone loss and possible tooth loss.

The fastest way to stop a toothache at home

These remedies won’t substitute for a trip to the dentist, but they may offer some relief.

Clove oil

The most common home remedy for tooth pain is clove oil. It’s been used for centuries and proved to be effective.

Cloves contain ingredients that numb the skin, so when it touches your teeth, it dulls the pain. You’ll need a bottle of clove oil, a cotton swab, a carrier oil (almond or olive oil are the most suitable), and a small dish. (You can also use clove powder, but oil is more effective.)

Mix the ingredients and apply the end product to the area that is bothering you. You’ll feel a difference in about five to ten minutes. Reapply every two to three hours for extended relief. This is a short term solution, and you should see your dentist as soon as possible.

Note: Do not swallow clove oil! It’s not good for you.

Peppermint oil

If you don’t want to use clove oil, you can try out peppermint oil. It has methanol, methanol, which reduces pain. You can use it the same way you would clove oil. Follow the steps given above, replacing clove oil with peppermint.

Salt water rinse

Another effective home remedy for tooth pain is rinsing your mouth with sea salt. The salt acts as an anti-inflammatory and relieves pain. Just dissolve a teaspoon of the salt in some warm water and gargle for 30 seconds. (And spit it out!)

Sensitive toothpaste

Sensitivity toothpastes work by either covering up or desensitizing and covering the dentin tubules in the middle layer of the teeth, which carry pain sensations from outside to the inside.

For a pain-free oral hygiene routine, you should also choose a soft toothbrush and floss gently. Flossing removes food particles that can accumulate between teeth and at the gum line, increasing your risk of gum infections.

Over-the-counter pain medication

OTC medication is easily accessible and, therefore, an excellent home remedy. Pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil) can reduce the ache and sensitivity that come with tooth pain.  Make sure you do not have an allergy to these medications when taking any medications.  Be sure to follow dosage instructions instructed by your dentist. Call your dentist before taking any OTC medication as they may be able to give you dosage instructions.

Cold compress

A cold compress is basically just an ice pack. If you hold it against the cheek with the sore tooth, it may  reduce pain. This happens because of something called vasoconstriction. Exposure to cold temperatures shrinks the blood vessels and limits blood flow to the affected area.

A cold compress helps numb the pain, while also reducing swelling and inflammation.

These home remedies are all effective for temporary relief. But if the pain persists, it’s important to see your dentist. Definitely see him or her if your tooth pain lasts more than two days, you have a fever or earache, if it hurts to open your mouth, or if your tooth pain is intense.

See a dentist

Need your tooth pain evaluated? Find a high-quality dentist with us. We work closely with a number of dentists and help them manage their practices. This means we know them through-and-through and can help you find one that best suits your needs. Plus, as a patient with any of our trusted dentists, you’ll get excellent service and the care you deserve. We literally promise.

We also help you verify dental insurance coverage before you book an appointment. That way you can make sure your insurance is accepted before you arrive at the clinic.

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