The American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID) has released The Ultimate Guide to Dental Health During COVID-19. Available for free online, it illustrates best practices for healthy teeth and gums with special advice for extra care during a pandemic.
The guide was written by AAID implant dentists, who invest a significant amount of time on extensive implant training and who focus on the overall health of patients above and beyond basic dental education, the AAID said.
“While oral hygiene may not be at the top of people’s minds right now, gum health is closely linked to immune system health,” said Vincent Vella, DDS, coauthor of the guide.
“People are seeking the advice of healthcare experts to stay safe and healthy during this crisis, and this guide will be helpful to many people, especially while dentist offices are closed for non-urgent visits,” said Vella.
The first section of the guide covers seven top tips to keep the mouth healthy while on quarantine. The second section provides special precautions for dental implant candidates and patients.
Though the guide covers at-home best practices, the AAID encourages patients to contact their dentist if they are experiencing severe mouth pain or swelling. Most dentists are addressing questions and concerns though emails, texts, phone, and video calls, the AAID said.
Also, the AAID said that patients who have to schedule an emergency procedure should expect their dentist to follow CDC guidelines and take additional safety measures to protect them, themselves, and their staff.
“We use hospital-level disinfection in all areas in our office,” said Jasmine Sung, DDS. “All of our team members are highly trained in these protocols and disinfect or dispose of tools after every patient.”
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