Our dental clinic is seeing an increase in patients returning to care with problems caused or made worse by the routine maintenance shutdowns during the height of COVID-19.
Things that could have been fixed with smaller fillings, prophylactic treatments, things like that have gotten intensified, so larger fillings, larger cavities, things leading to root canals, crowns, etc.
Increased stress means a lot of people were causing more wear and tear on their teeth as well.
Sixty-three percent of dentists across the nation have noticed increased issues with clenching, grinding, also known as bruxism, and temporomandibular joint dysfunction or TMJ dysfunction
That can mean cracked teeth, broken crowns or fillings and increased pain.
But it’s not just dental issues good mouth hygiene will help you avoid. It can save you a trip to the doctor as well.
There’s a strong connection that’s actually been scientifically studied between systemic conditions and oral conditions. Obviously the mouth is the gateway to the body, and bacteria can contribute to conditions such as heart disease and diabetes.
Even things like joint or heart valve replacements require dental clearance before they can be done.
So, prevention is the best tool. Catching conditions early on saves your both money and emotional turmoil.
