Is it Safe to See the Dentist?

Ever since Virginia dentists were given the green light to reopen their clinics to non-emergency patients, many patients have wondered if it is safe to go to the dentist right now. That’s an important question – one that unfortunately doesn’t have one simple answer. The truth is, there are many reasons to see the dentist, but that doesn’t mean every patient needs to be seen right away. If you’re concerned about seeing the dentist during the COVID-19 pandemic, here’s what you should know.

The first question you should ask yourself when considering a dental appointment is why do you need one? Do you need a cleaning or a cosmetic treatment? If so, you may be able to put it off for the time being. As long as you are not experiencing any pain or sensitivity and your teeth are in good shape as far as the eye can see, you should be OK to hold off on seeing the dentist if you aren’t comfortable stopping by the clinic just yet.

But what if you have pain, a broken tooth or an abscess? In that case, you should definitely be seen by a dentist as soon as possible. While you may be concerned about your COVID-19 contraction risk while in the office, safety measures are in place to help prevent and reduce the spread of illness. And, generally speaking, it is more dangerous to leave your mouth issues untreated than it is to risk contracting the coronavirus at the dentist’s office, especially considering that some dental problems can become fatal if left untreated.

Ultimately, the choice over whether to be seen right now is up to you, but we recommend not waiting too long to be seen, as dental problems get worse the longer they go untreated. Remember, safety measures will be in place at the clinic to help reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19 while you are here. If you are at all unsure about the safety of the clinic or the severity of any oral health issues you may be having, please feel free to call Dr. Mazhari to discuss your concerns.