Are you worried about a nagging toothache? Do your gums bleed when you brush your teeth? Do your teeth and jaws hurt in the mornings? Let’s talk about it!
It would not be surprising if you are grinding your teeth. The Coronavirus pandemic has put all of our teeth on edge! For the past 6 months, many people have put off going to the dentist for very understandable reasons. We are all concerned about infection. For many people, whatever hygiene precautions are in place, the idea of sitting in the dentist’s chair and removing our face masks is a scary prospect.
We know that all good dentists take hygiene extremely
seriously, and industry statistics show that there have been no cases of COVID-19
transmission in any dental office anywhere in the world. But it is understandable
that people are uncomfortable to visit their dentist for regular check-ups and
dental cleaning. The situation is particularly difficult for elderly patients
who have dental plates or bridges that need regular maintenance.
At the start of the pandemic, the advice from most national
dental health organizations was to only visit doctors and dentists for urgent
and essential treatment, even if you have no COVID symptoms and have not been
exposed to anyone infected. However, six months on, there is wider recognition
that people need to take care of their teeth and resuming regular cleanings, so
that they do not find themselves with deteriorating dental problems.
With Israel now in a second lockdown, Dr. Sarit Avraham and
her team are volunteering their services for free online consultations. She
explains: “We’re here to help anyone who is suffering from painful teeth or
gums, or who is worried about untreated symptoms like bleeding gums or painful
jaws. Sometimes we can see the problem via a video camera or mobile phone, and
often we can advise based on a patient’s description of their symptoms.
Obviously it’s not as good as a physical exam, but it’s better than nothing.”
So, don’t wait for Corona to end if you have concerns about your teeth and gums. Book a free online consultation with Dr. Sarit, or send her your question on her free English-language Facebook advice group: “Ask Dentist Dr. Sarit Avraham”.
