It has been over 2 years since our lives turned upside down with COVID. There is no denying the stress and grief that many have shouldered as a result of the pandemic. Another area that has been impacted is dental health. For at least the first year of the pandemic, many people were afraid to go to the dentist, even if they had a toothache. What does this mean for our overall oral health as we move into year three of the pandemic and yet another variant coming our way?
COVID-19 has certainly created a lot of stress in our lives, from our children to our elders and even our own health as we are cautious not to spread the disease to those who are particularly at risk. Stress can impact the human body in many ways, including causing oral health issues. People grind their teeth when stressed, leading to chipped or cracked teeth. It also wears down the enamel, the protective coating on the teeth.
Another significant side effect of the pandemic is dry mouth. Wearing a mask has contributed significantly to cases of dry mouth as it encourages mouth breathing which increases the unhealthy bacteria in the mouth and causes halitosis.
Only history will truly measure the impact of COVID on oral health, but dental professionals are already seeing increases in patients with
- excessive plaque deposits due to longer time between visits
- wear, lesion, fractures, and chips from stress
- dry mouth and related conditions
- increased in inflamed gums due to more snacking and decreased oral hygiene
Regain your beautiful smile by visiting a compassionate, caring dentist at Smile Designer. We will help you get your dental health back on track and your beautiful smile brightening everyone you meet!