Dentistry during the pandemic sure has become quite the challenge, due to heightened anxiety around infection control, stay at home orders, and measures to control the spread of COVID-19. Despite dental offices being a completely safe and essential service, some patients simply stopped going to the dentist altogether.

But now that the first waves of the pandemic are behind us as vaccinations roll out across Canada and the United States, how are people feeling about coming back? What can you do to make your patients feel more comfortable?

At Opencare, we conducted a patient survey about COVID-19 of over 650+ dental patients in North America. We want to share these results with you and you can learn how to make patients feel more comfortable at the dentist as lockdowns begin to lift. Opencare supports thousands of dentists every day with resources to grow and run their practice. 

Who we surveyed 

We selected a cohort of 666, of which roughly ⅔ were from Canada and the rest from the United States (mostly California). The majority of respondents (82%) were between 25 and 44 years old and 55% were women. Roughly 43% of respondents earn between $50,000 and $100,000 per year. 

Health habits

The patients we surveyed, as you will see below, are health-conscious patients who excited to get back to the dentist. Opencare patients are highly educated on preventative healthcare and understand the importance of frequent dentist visits.

Most participants were in good health and understood the importance of healthy habits. On a scale of 1 to 5, 80% rated their health a 4 or higher.

A whopping 95% of respondents brushed their teeth daily (woo-hoo, somebody’s doing their job!), 60.8% floss on the daily, and 45% visit the dentist every six months. Nearly 80% said they drank plenty of fluids and water, 64% did not smoke, 62% ate nutritiously, and 52% got daily exercise. All in all, generally healthy people.

These are the type of patients you probably usually see in your dental practice and especially who you want to target going forward. These patients understand the importance of going to the dentist, even in the midst of a pandemic. Along with having dental insurance, they are willing to invest in their long-term dental health and understand that regular dental visits are an essential piece of the puzzle. 

Attitudes toward dentistry during the pandemic

So, what has been going through patient’s minds during the pandemic? To find out, we first asked how many participants had seen a dentist in the past year. An exciting 75% said yes! That’s a good thing that only 25% of people surveyed chose not to visit the dentist this year and a testament to positive patient education.

We also asked if anybody had a canceled dentist appointment and 38% said yes. Of those, 60% were canceled because of a COVID-19 lockdown and 19% were canceled because of scheduling issues. Additionally, 10% of patients canceled themselves because they were uncomfortable about going to the dentist.  

What can you do as a dentist to make them more comfortable?

The good news is that it appears most people feel rather confident about going to the dentist even during these crazy times. A solid 44% of respondents plan to visit the dentist within the next three months and another 34% will go within the next year.

Only 4.7% said they would go only if they were in pain or it was an emergency. The top reason offered (55%) was that they were waiting for life to go back to normal and 26% were scared of getting COVID-19. 

However, you don’t want to leave anybody behind. We understand you take the oral health of every patient in your practice very seriously. So we’ve put together these tips to help you make them feel more about visiting you and give them a more enjoyable experience while they are there. 

How to reduce pandemic anxiety for your patients

Without a doubt, the dentistry industry has been affected just like everything else. However, unlike other industries, such as the restaurant or entertainment industries, people can’t just stop going to the dentist. If they stop going for preventive care, they will ultimately end up in your office for emergency care. 

This is creating a backlog of patients who’ll need dental care in the near future. Many people plan to wait for a bit after their dental office opens up to avoid the flood of patients. Others are waiting for life to “get back to normal” before they go. Unfortunately, this just means that more people will be flooding the offices later. This is not ideal when you want to limit the number of people in your office at the same time as well as need extra time between patients for increased sanitation measures. 

So, how do you get those patients in your office now? Here are a few tips.

Communicate with your patients

People don’t know what’s going on in your office unless you tell them. They may be sitting at home imagining crowded waiting rooms and long waits to get in to see the dentist. They might even decide it isn’t worth the effort or the risk when there is no extra effort or risk involved. 

So, shout it from the rooftops! Or, as we tend to do in this day and age, launch an electronic campaign. Email your patients, go live on social media and post lots of visual content. People need to see sparkling clean exam rooms, empty waiting rooms, staff decked out in full PPE, and air purifiers being installed. 

For help on drafting “welcome back” emails, check out this free toolkit provided by the ADA. Other emails you can send to reassure patients and keep you fresh in their minds include:

• A reassurance email on sanitization
• Tips and advice for at-home oral wellness
• A self-diagnosis tool for common problems
• Dental emergency guidelines
• Resources and content you find useful from dental thought-leaders

Survey your own patients

The information from this survey and others you might be gathering is gold and will help direct your efforts. However, it doesn’t hurt to do your own survey among your own patients. There is no guarantee that the typical patient in your dental practice feels the same as what is reflected in these results. 

Furthermore, a patient survey about COVID-19 communicates an important fact to your patients: you care about what they think and you want to incorporate their ideas into your plan. It also shows patients who might feel nervous that you’re doing everything you can to address their concerns. 

Transparency

Be open about everything, not just the extra measures you are putting in place, but also the risks you face. If you have a COVID exposure, it can feel tempting to cover it up. You might be afraid that people will see it as a reason to feel less confident in your practice. 

But think about it from this angle as well. People will see you putting your patients first. Instead of protecting your profits (staying open and continuing to see patients), you’re more concerned about patient and staff health. You’ll take a financial hit in the short run, but remember what we already mentioned, people will still need to see the dentist. And they’re going to want to see one that has proven their dedication to putting their patients first. 

How to make your patients feel safe before, during, and after their dental appointment in 2021

Once you’ve gotten your patients’ attention and they’ve booked an appointment, you need to ensure they feel safe and confident during their entire experience. 

1. Visible sanitization

The best thing you can do to ease your patients’ minds is to strictly follow sanitation measures. Provide masks, hand sanitizer, and perform visible sanitization measures in front of your patients to show that they’re safe. Install air purifiers in visible places to further put your patients at ease.

When asked about what would make them feel safe, one survey respondent said, “Reassurance of how all tools are cleaned and sterilized. Make me feel like what you’re putting in my mouth is super clean.” Even though dentists have always been vigilant about sanitation, it’s important to talk about it and let your patients know the steps you’re taking to keep them safe.

As you open a new pack of tools, say, “These tools have been sanitized using our sanitization process which includes…”. That little bit of information goes a long way when it comes to patient reassurance. 

2. Increased PPE

It might feel a little impersonal to greet your patients ensconced in PPE from head to toe. Full PPE covers pretty much every inch of the body, meaning new patients won’t even know what you look like. What’s worse, your smile, every dentist’s favorite feature, is hidden away behind a mask. 

However, no matter how impersonal it feels, your patients will appreciate the extra effort to protect them. Learn to communicate your smile with your eyes and reassure your patients with your voice. It’s a little different way of doing things, but we’re all adapting to new challenges these days.  

3. Less contact with staff and other patients

Social distancing is one of the main ways we can all do our part to stop the spread of the virus. Your patients want to avoid unnecessary contact with people. A few of the ways you can do that is by allowing for contactless check-in, plexiglass between your reception and your patients, and making sure your waiting room is always empty.

Of course, waiting rooms have always been there for a reason. Where are patients supposed to wait to be seen? One great idea that many businesses are adopting is to allow patients to wait in their cars. They can check in once they arrive via text message or an app like Opencare. When it’s time for their turn, you can call or send them a text so only one patient comes in at a time.

It’s also important not to crowd too many appointments into the same day. It’s another hit for your bottom line, but you need extra time to sanitize between patients and ensure there aren’t too many people in your office at once. 

Need more time back in your day? Opencare can help you and your office team save 20 hours per week with our insurance verification services. Find out more.

4. Temperature checks and testing

Another suggestion survey respondents offered was to incorporate temperature checks and COVID testing. Consider requiring negative tests from patients or proof of vaccinations,  and provide weekly COVID testing for your staff or insure they are vaccinated. The practicality of this might be a little challenging, but you can decide how far you want to take it.

A more practical approach is to take everyone’s temperature upon entering the office. This won’t cost you anything extra and is another layer of protection that your patients will appreciate. Also, be sure your reception staff is fully aware of the symptoms of COVID and is empowered to turn away anyone who is showing signs of being positive. 

5. Proof of infection control

Finally, remember that not everyone feels comfortable trusting that you’re doing what you say you’re doing in following RCDSO or  CDC sanitation guidelines . Most people are confident and trust you’re doing everything you can, but some people may still feel nervous about it. 

We also asked patients how they felt about dentists having proof of infection control and following proper sanitization guidelines. Almost 45% said they felt confident and another 37% felt very confident and fully trusted their dentist to follow the protocol. However, 12% felt worried and 6% felt worried enough to want to see some kind of certification or proof. 

iThe best thing you can do is be fully transparent about what you’re doing and make sure that you’re taking visible precautions to put your patients at ease. 

Safely serving your patients 

We hope these dental patient and COVID-19 stats have given you more confidence in serving your patients. Patients are willing and excited to go back to the dentist. Preventative care can’t be put on hold forever or your patients’ dental health will begin to suffer greatly. 

Check out more about how Opencare can help you better serve your patient through the pandemic and beyond.

The post How do patients feel about returning to the dentist during and after COVID-19? An infographic for dentists appeared first on The Floss By Opencare.

Updated as of February 2021

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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Dental sterilization is paramount in dentistry. Most dentists’ offices share a familiar vibe, one we can only describe as “sterile.” Dentists follow strict cleanliness rules to prevent infections and diseases. As practices begin to reopen for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, dentists are stepping up sterilization protocols to ensure that your next visit will be a safe one. 

Toronto dentist Dr. Jeanie Luong says dentists need to communicate with staff and patients at every step. For patients who are nervous about coming in, “We assure them that we take the health and safety of our patients and staff very seriously and that we have taken every precaution to ensure they have a safe visit,” she says.

When it comes to regular sterilization practices, staff training, and enhanced measures, dentists do a few things to keep their offices clean and sterile.

Dental sterilization protocol 

Laws and regulations for dental practices vary across Canada, but every province and territory has a regulatory body (called a college) that licenses dentists and sets health and safety standards. Provincial colleges align their standards with local public health units and the Provincial Infectious Diseases Advisory Committee on Infection Prevention and Control (PIDAC-IPC). 

It’s a mouthful of an acronym, but PIDAC-IPC publishes best practices, recommendations and self-assessment checklists intending to prevent disease transmission in clinical offices. These practices and procedures are known as infection prevention and control or IPAC. 

Dr. Luong says guidelines for dentists are “detailed, technical and rigorous.” Staff training isn’t just a one-time deal, either—ongoing education, training and support are necessary to help staff work safely. Dr. Luong says IPAC manuals should be available in the office for staff to review regularly. 

How to sterilize dental equipment

Dentists use both single-use and reusable instruments to complete dental work. Cleaning dental equipment requires a sterilization area—every office has one, and it looks a bit like an office kitchen. 

Sterilization areas are designed to prevent cross-contamination. There are designated areas for receiving instruments, cleaning and decontamination, drying, packaging, sterilization and storage. It’s an efficient one-way workflow (dirty to clean.)

Here’s a step-by-step process of how to sterilize dental instruments: 

1. Clean and decontaminate: The dirty instruments are brought into the sterilization area in a sealed container, scrubbed, and placed in an ultrasonic cleaner, which is a container filled with a disinfectant solution that vibrates to remove any remaining debris. 
2. Package: The instruments are wrapped in kits or sealed packages, stamped with a date, cycle, and user ID sticker (for tracking and quality control). 
3. Sterilize: After the instruments are packaged, the sterilization process involves putting the instruments in an autoclave, which uses steam pressure and high heat for a sustained period, which inactivates all bacteria and viruses.
4. Test: Indicator stripes are placed into the pouches to confirm that the equipment inside achieves adequate temperature and pressure. When the process is complete, the strip changes colour. After that, a spore test makes sure no bacteria survived.
5. Storage: Once the cleaning and sterilization cycle is complete, the packaged clean instruments are stored in an enclosed area on the room’s designated “clean side.” The instruments are only retrieved and unwrapped once a patient is in the chair.

Enhanced safety measures after COVID-19

When your dentist’s office is ready to reopen, you’ll likely receive a call, email or text outlining new policies and precautions for appointments. Every dentist’s office will be different, but here are a few general things you can expect: 

• Pre-screening and temperature taking.
• Masks and hand sanitizer for the reception area/waiting room.
• Staggered appointment. This allows for minimal contact between patients and extra time for enhanced cleaning and disinfection procedures.
• Enhanced personal protective equipment (PPE) for staff.
• Rinsing with a hydrogen peroxide solution before your appointment.

Dr. Luong’s dental practice created an illustrated and easy-to-read infographic to communicate enhanced safety precautions and is emailing it to patients, to give them a heads up on her office’s new procedures. Some dentists may accommodate special requests for nervous patients, such as booking the first or last appointment of the day.

“We understand if [patients] are still uncomfortable and not ready to come in, so we assure them that we are here for them whenever they are ready,” Dr. Luong says.

Communicating is key

During uncertain times, ongoing communication between dentists, staff and patients is important. For dentists, it boils down to being proactive by creating protocols and procedures, training staff, communicating with patients before a visit, and reinforcing the message through actions once patients arrive. Dr. Luong has posted their new precautions in every treatment room to encourage engagement with patients. 

“People need to know what you are doing; it isn’t enough to do it quietly without sharing your message.”

Learn more about dental sterilization here

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Boost your immune system and practice these basic tips from an expert to protect yourself against viruses. Oral healthcare is essential to boosting full body wellness, which contributes to your immune system’s ability to fight viral infections.

The only way to prevent yourself from contracting COVID-19 is to practice social distancing, washing your hands frequently, and avoiding contact with people who may have the virus.

However, there are things above and beyond social distancing and hand washing, that can help strengthen your immune system’s ability to fight viruses like COVID-19.

Your mouth is one place that can help you ward off illnesses. Things like brushing, flossing, and the right diet are some things that contribute to good oral wellness. But, there’s more you can do to start with your mouth for whole-body wellness. To stay feeling good, it’s important to know what to do to make sure your mouth is as healthy as can be.

Here are six ways to keep your immune system strong during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Good food and drinks mean a healthy mouth and body.

If you’re stuck inside and snacking almost 24/7 – you’re not alone! Being so close to our kitchen means that it’s easy to reach for pop, beer, or a glass of wine. But before you reach for that next drink, consider that acidic drinks will erode your teeth over time. Even things like sports drinks can cause damage to your teeth. Aside from possibly harming your teeth, these types of beverages can hurt your body too. Alcoholic drinks are usually high in sugar and can lead to weight gain and poor gut health. You won’t do your body any favors if you happen to get sick, no matter what the illness is.

Alcohol is especially bad for your mouth and should enjoy it in moderation. Alcohol is dehydrating and can negatively impact your immune system. It could also affect your sleep and tempt you to eat those snacks you were avoiding! Cutting alcohol is a great way to boost your immune system to prevent COVID.

Another thing to avoid is hard foods, like crusty bread, hard nuts, candy, and chewing on ice. All these things can damage your teeth, especially if you have fillings. Stick to softer, healthy foods to boost your overall wellness and keep your teeth healthy.

Stress hurts more than just your teeth

It’s no secret that the whole world is feeling a bit more stressed these days. Whether you’re working from home, have kids off from school, or are stressed about your future, we get it. It’s common for people who feel stressed to grind or clench their teeth, especially at night. Wearing a night guard, no matter how nerdy it looks, will protect your teeth from unnecessary wear and tear.

If you don’t have a night guard and find yourself clenching your teeth or experiencing jaw, head, or neck pain, it’s important you find ways to relax. Things like yoga, meditation, and self-massaging your jaw and temples, are all things that will help your teeth and help you de-stress and unwind. There are many videos online for yoga, meditation, and self-massage, so find your favorites and practice them at least once a day.

Drink more water

Our immune systems thrive off getting enough water. Water is so incredibly important in helping your body function smoothly. Water also helps your mouth stay nice and fresh. Things like preventing illness, all the way to having great skin and hair, are all thanks to our best friend, H20.

A good rule of thumb is that you should be drinking about eight 8-ounce glasses a day, which is about 2 liters. The most popular water bottles are 500mls. If you have one of those lying around, it will take four of those bottles a day to get the recommended amount. Set a goal of finishing a bottle of water in the morning, at lunch, in the afternoon, and with dinner.

If plain water doesn’t float your boat, try lemon water, herbal teas, or other fruit infused teas. Avoid caffeinated drinks since caffeine is a diuretic, which makes you use the bathroom more and require you to drink more water. Coffee can stain your teeth, and it’s acidic, which can damage your teeth.  

If you’re stuck at home all day, you may be drinking coffee more often than usual. Try and set a daily limit and drink an extra glass of water if you enjoy a caffeinated beverage. Changing what you drink and help you prevent covid.

Quit smoking and vaping (or any other bad habits)

It’s no secret that dentists everywhere loath smoking and vaping for the damage it causes to your mouth and teeth, not to mention what they can do to the rest of your body. With more time on our hands, now is possibly the best time to quit those bad habits. Smokers are also higher-risk of complications should they contract COVID-19. This pandemic could be considered a wake-up call for those wanting to quit smoking.

It may also be a great time to practice cooking more at home, eating a healthy diet, or finally getting around to start a garden to grow some veggies. Eating better helps your oral hygiene and your immune system.

Sleep well 

Staying on a schedule can be tough during social isolation, especially if your day starts and ends at home. Good sleep is essential to overall wellness and your oral health. Studies show there is a link between lack of sleep and issues with your mouth, such as periodontitis (deep pockets between your gums and teeth that can cause your teeth to loosen and move around.)

Aim for at least 7-10 hours of sleep. A rested body is a strong body. It’s important for your overall health to make sure you’re getting enough sleep. If you’re having trouble falling to sleep, consider trying a mediation app. Avoid screen time before bed, and skip caffeine and sugar at least a few hours before you’re ready to get some rest to help your body prevent COVID-19..

Healthy mouth, healthy body

Your mouth is so much more than just your smile. Your mouth protects your body from bacteria that can cause illnesses and disease. It is a remarkable vessel that helps you get all the nutrients into your body and keep your immune system strong.

Seeing a dentist regularly can help catch oral diseases early that might impact your immune response. Make the dentist a regular part of your wellness routine.

Just like you take the time to think about how to make a dental appointment, you should also think about all the things you can do to keep your mouth healthy. All these tips will help your immune system fight and prevent viruses like COVID-19. You won’t regret it.

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Afraid to go back to the dentist during COVID-19? Check out what measures dentists are taking to ensure patient safety while practices begin to open back up in 2020.

As more businesses get the green light to open again, many of us are feeling unsure of what our new reality is going to look like post-COVID-19 shutdown. Going to dentist during COVID-19 may be daunting. Many dental offices in North America were closed for appointments aside from dental emergencies during COVID-19. Now, dental offices around the country are getting ready to open again for regular appointments.

With all the uncertainty of our new reality, many patients are wondering if it’s safe to go to the dentist before they make a dental appointment. If you ask a dentist if it’s safe to go to the dentist, they’ll shout “DO NOT BE AFRAID!” with a big, perfect smile. Dentists have been, and are doing, a ton to ensure patient safety. Many dental offices are open for emergency care and already practicing special safety measures, while others are gearing up to open full-time and following new protocol.

Here are some of the things dentists are doing to ensure your safety during COVID-19:

1.  Offering an extremely sanitized space

The great news is, dentistry sterilization measures have already been in practice for years. You’ve likely already noticed that your dental office was squeaky clean before COVID-19. Dental offices have always been serious about dental sterilization protocol, and now with COVID-19, they’re even more stringent with making sure everything in the office is sanitized.

Dental offices have pre-existing, rigorous infection control protocols and now have even more protocols in place to keep you safe. Many offices even have a dedicated infection control officer on staff whose job is to make sure everyone is following the right steps to keep the office clean and safe for everyone.

2. Dental employees have receive special infection control training

Dentists in Ontario already follow a strict infection control protocol. In Canada, for example, this protocol is outlined by a committee called PIDAC (Provincial Infectious Diseases Advisory Committee). One of the things PIDAC does is advise public health Ontario on matters related to patient safety and infection control and provide a best practices document that ensures patient safety. 

Dentists, hygienists, and all employees working with patients receive detailed training because dental procedures are thorough and have extremely high sterilization standards. On top of that, all dental office management employees have also been receiving extra training to manage the office to prevent COVID-19. This ensures all patient spaces are safe from the waiting area and front desk, to the washrooms and the front doors.  

3. Dental instruments are sterilized thoroughly

Again, sterilization is nothing new to dentists. Patients can trust that all dental instruments are clean, since dental offices already do practice strict sterilization of dental instruments protocols for cleaning dental tools. One example is cleaning instruments and tools. In this case, everything will be put in a bag to sterilize dental kits and instruments. These bags are treated at 100 degrees Celsius under steam pressure for a prolonged amount of time. This treatment evaporates bacteria and viruses, including the one that causes COVID-19. The instruments are then marked, time stamped, and recorded so that quality control checks can take place. The instruments are not opened until a patient walks into the room.

After you leave the room, and before the next patient arrives, the room will be cleaned from top to bottom using the proper virus and bacteria killing disinfectants.  

4.  COVID-19 specific screening and prevention measures 

Dental offices are also taking new COVID-10 specific measures to ensure the safety of patients. You will likely notice increased screening for dentist appointments and temperature taking before patients arrive to make sure no one comes into the office with any signs or symptoms of COVID-19. There may be things like plexiglass barriers at the front desk and operative rooms may even be sealed with plastic doors to prevent any spread of germs.

Lastly, some dental procedures might look different. For example, your hygienist will likely only do hand scaling rather than use a cavitron which vibrates to physically break off plaque so there’s less potential spray occurring from the mouth.

5.  Use of personal protection equipment

You will notice increased personal protection equipment when you go to the dentist. This ensures your safety, as well as theirs. Things like face shields, gowns, and N95 masks which have a superior seal compared to regular surgical masks will likely be the norm. As more research is done with how the virus spreads, your dentist is keeping up-to-date with what to wear and precautions to take to keep patients safe while still delivering safe and much needed dental care.

Patients may also be given masks when they walk in, be offered sanitizer before their appointment, and likely a mouth rinse with hydrogen peroxide. Going to the dentist during COVID-19 should not be something to stress about.

Don’t be afraid to go to the dentist!

Dental care is essential for your oral and overall health, so don’t shy away from getting back into the dentist chair once practices fully reopen. If you’re wondering how to schedule a dentist appointment, or what your dentist is doing to ensure your safety – just call them! Ask questions and engage if you’re feeling unsure. Dentists are experts in infection control and they’ve been doing it for a long time. All of our Opencare dentists would be happy to answer any questions you may have.

The post Don’t be afraid to go back to the dentist during COVID-19 appeared first on The Floss By Opencare.

How to maintain your oral wellness during the pandemic shelter-and-place.

Take care of your oral health with these simple tips. Preventative healthcare is now more important than ever, and oral wellness helps boost your overall immune response. Here are some ways to take care of your oral health during the coronavirus pandemic:

1. Switch to electric toothbrush
   
   Using an electric toothbrush allows for superior plaque removal. According to a 2005 independent study, “brushes that worked with a rotation oscillation action removed more plaque and reduced gingivitis more effectively than manual brushes” This is even more crucial when you are unable to visit your dentist at this time. When buying an electric toothbrush make sure it is comfortable to hold and easy to use. You can always get your dentist to recommend a model with a rotating-oscillating head to move the bristles. This option is also great for those who suffer from arthritis. 
   
   
2. Brush twice/day for 2 minutes
   
   Whether we are in a Global Pandemic or not, brushing your teeth is a must. Cleaning every tooth is vital as well as all surfaces of your teeth. Each tooth has 5 surfaces. 3 of them can be cleaned with your toothbrush. The last 2 should be done via flossing. You are removing 26% less plaque if teeth are brushed for less than 2 minutes. Bacteria coat your mouth’s interior including the inside of your cheeks, your gums and your tongue. To reduce the risk of cavities, bad breath you should brush these areas as well.
   
   
3. Floss like a boss as our Dr. Natalie Archer would say! 
   
   You have heard this one before! Flossing lifts and removes plaque that can be found in between your teeth. You can get rid of all the stubborn food particles that your toothbrush simply can’t get to. To be exact, it does about 40% of the work required to remove sticky bacteria from your teeth. Plaque produces acid, which can lead to cavities, irritated gums and gum disease. During the pandemic when you are unable to visit a dentist, it is crucial to be reducing the risk of any of the above by flossing. Here are several types of dental floss you can use:
   
   
   • Waxed Floss 
   • Unwaxed Floss 
   • Dental tape 
   • Dental Thread 
   • Power Flosses
     
     Be mindful when buying dental products, everyone else also needs products. Don’t bulk buy and only get the amount you require.
     
     
4. Keep your toothbrush clean
   
   This means, changing your toothbrush every 3 months according to the ADA ( American Dental Association). If you don’t replace your toothbrush bristles in the given time you are increasing the risk of spreading infections and putting your dental hygiene at risk. As we are all social distancing from our friends, make sure your toothbrushes are also social distancing from each other to reduce the spread of germs. If you or your family members have been sick, it is a good idea to replace your toothbrush as your toothbrush is your first line of defence against the bacteria and infections.
   
   
5. Use Mouthwash
   
   Mouthwash is also known as oral rinse and is a liquid product to rinse your teeth, gums and mouth. It typically contains antiseptic to kill harmful bacteria that can live on your tongue and in between your teeth. Mouthwash should not be used as a replacement for cleaning your teeth but when used correctly can be very effective in helping your oral hygiene. Some may also use mouthwash to fight against bad breath while others use it to prevent tooth decay.
   
   
6. Stay Hydrated
   
   Drinking water in general impacts your everyday health. Sipping on water, especially if it is fluoridated,  helps strengthen your teeth . It is one of the easiest ways to prevent cavities. Washing away food with water keeps your mouth clean from any left over sugars. Bacteria that have cavity affinity, leave behind acid on your teeth that strip away your enamel, which is your protective outer shell of your teeth. Sugary drinks contain other types of acids that also cause trouble by eroding enamel. Sip on water throughout your day to keep your smile fresh.
   
   
7. Reduce daily intake of sugar
   
   Did you know according to the ADA, 96% of adults have cavities despite it being extremely preventable. No matter your age, tooth decay causes are he same. 
   
   Daily Sugar intake should be approximately 110grams in total according to The Canadian Sugar Institute. This includes sugars in fruits and other so called healthy snacks. When you eat sugars, a natural process called remineralisation takes place in order to protect your enamel. This however cannot keep up if your sugar intake is high, so it is essential that you are doing your part in reducing the intake in your diet to maintain healthy oral hygiene.
   
   
8. Eat Healthy to Stay healthy
   
   Dr Jeanie Loung strongly advised us that a well balanced and nutritious diet is important for good oral and general health. The food we eat is what nourishes our body, teeth and gums need to renew tissue and aid in fighting infections and diseases.  Some foods that are rich in calcium are known to strengthen your oral health by keeping your teeth strong. Stay away from junk food during the pandemic, if you are looking to support your local restaurants, opt for something healthier and keep your mouth clean!
   
   
9. Rinse mouth after every meal
   
   You probably notice that you are eating more often now that you’re working from home, so it is crucial to be rinsing your mouth after every meal. When you are living in close quarters with your loved ones it is important and probably nice to keep your mouth fresh. The leftover food in your mouth can stay stuck on your tongue and in between your teeth and cause plaque build up. Make sure you swivel water or mouthwash after meals and not give bacteria the chance to leave that sticky residue on your teeth.
   
   
10. Leave the pack behind
    
    This is a no brainer. Our health starts with the mouth. Our preventative professionals such as Dr. Natalie Archer are concerned about the effects of smoking on oral and overall health. It is one of the leading preventable health problems. Smokers can expect to develop a combination of these.
    
    • Bad breath 
    • Teeth discolouration 
    • Periodontal diseases 
    • Jaw bone loss 
    • Oral cancer 
    • Mouth sores and more. 

Take care of your oral health by quitting your smoking habit. When you have decided to quit, you are likely to experience major and immediate health benefits that include reducing the risk of gum disease, bone and tooth loss, keeping teeth whiter and allowing wounds to heal faster.

If you are looking to quit here is some useful information that would help you:

 The Canadian Cancer Society – Ontario Division: 416-488-5400 or 1 800 268-8874

The Lung Association – Ontario: 1-888-344-LUNG (5864)

Take care of your oral health to help boost your overall wellness during the coronavirus pandemic. It can be a confusing time with conflicting information, make sure to trust evidence-based sources.

The post 10 Ways to take care of your oral health during COVID-19 appeared first on The Floss By Opencare.

What defines a dental emergency and when should you go to the dentist during COVID-19?

by Samie Durnford and Dr. Natalie Archer, DDS

With many dental offices around the continent only open for dental emergencies during COVID-19, you may be left with many questions. When can I go? Is it even safe? And how do you maintain social distance at the dentist’s office anyway? Luckily, dentists across the nation are ready to support patients during this time, and we have compiled the best advice for seeking help if you have a dental emergency. 

Dentistry is considered an essential service. And while you won’t be able to go get your teeth whitened or a regular cleaning, you absolutely can see a dentist if you’re experiencing an emergency.

What defines a dental emergency?

A dental emergency is anything that is causing immediate and unavoidable pain or discomfort. If you’re experiencing pain that can’t be helped by medications (like ibuprofen) or antibiotics, it’s time to call your dentist. Dental practices that are open for emergencies will take your information over the phone and work with you to decide if you require a visit or not.

While unavoidable pain is a common sign of a dental emergency, dental offices in different areas of the country may define emergencies differently. If you’re unsure if you have a dental emergency, call a local dentist office that’s accepting emergency appointments to get screened.

Tele-dentistry has allowed dental practices to quickly adapt to social distancing safety protocols. Now, you can call your dentist to do an over-the-phone screening where they will walk you through your dental history, and identify on your charts where the pain might be stemming from. If you’re able to chat with your regular dentist, they’ll be able to examine notes from your past visits to help diagnose what the problem might be.

The most common dental emergencies are:

• Knocked out tooth
• Cracked or chipped tooth
• Abscessed tooth
•  Severe tooth pain or infection
• Gum infection with pain or swelling

If you’re experiencing a dental emergency, you should make a dental appointment as soon as possible.

What if I have a cavity or a toothache?

If you’re in so much pain that you can’t function or sleep, then a cavity or toothache could be considered an emergency. If you’re experiencing mild pain, try taking an over the counter pain medicine and see if the sensitivity or pain goes away. Often, a cavity is not an emergency and can wait until dentist offices resume regular services before going in to get the cavity dealt with.

If the ache doesn’t go away at all, and it’s impacting your daily life, or you’re waking up at night in pain, call your dentist and discuss making an appointment.

What about cavities waiting to be fixed, cleaning, and x-rays?

If it’s not a dental emergency, routine checkups will have to wait. Don’t worry if you have a cavity that was scheduled to be fixed but got postponed because of COVID-19. Continue to practice good oral hygiene (regular brushing and flossing), and any other recommendations that will help maintain your oral wellness. Things like drinking water, sleeping well, avoiding sugary foods, drinking too much tea or coffee, and taking care of your mouth will get you through to that next cleaning!

How do I know a tooth is infected?

You can tell a tooth is infected if you have swelling or knots on your gums or any swelling in your face. If you experience a fever or your skin is hot to the touch around the area of your mouth where the pain is, then it’s time to call your dentist because it might be signs of infection.

What if my dentist isn’t open at all? How do I schedule an emergency dental appointment?

Don’t worry! Most dentists that are open for emergency dental appointments are happy to screen new patients and help you decide whether you’re experiencing a dental emergency. Find a dentist that’s open near you and contact them if you have any concerns at all. Even if you’re not a patient of their practice, they’ll be able to chat with you over the phone to get to know your symptoms and dental history. 

Is going to the dentist for a dental emergency safe for me?

Thankfully, infection control has always been paramount in dentistry and practices are doing everything they can to ensure that your visit is safe. Dental practices in Canada are regulated by the Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC). In the United States, the American Dental Association (ADA) is ensuring that dentists follow proper safety protocols.

Every patient is screened for COVID-19 symptoms before they’re allowed to make an appointment or come in for a dental emergency visit. While every practice varies, many of them are only allowing single-patient entries into the practice. Chances are you will be required to wear a mask, and you may have to have your mouth rinsed with hydrogen peroxide. Your dental team will also be fitted in personal protection equipment to keep both you and them safe. The office will be sterilized, head to toe and dental sterilization equipment will be used on all tools, much like it was before.

Dental offices have habits and best practices that have been ingrained in dentistry since before the time of COVID-19. So, you can trust that your dentist is doing everything possible to ensure your safety. If you’re still feeling nervous, just call and ask them what they’re doing to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and keep patients safe.

There may be times you experience a dental emergency, and there’s no reason to avoid the dentist if one occurs during COVID-19. Rest assured, practices are cleaning their dental instruments and following strict sterilization protocols, paired with proper screening of patients to ensure that everyone remains safe from infection.

The post Dental emergencies during COVID-19: Your ultimate guide. appeared first on The Floss By Opencare.