The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Your Dental Health

For almost two years, the world has responded to a tremendous crisis that continues to affect all aspects of our society, from health care to the economy. We have been challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic in countless ways. While we have shown our capacity to adapt and innovate, it has also exposed our vulnerabilities. 

At Smile Station, we continuously responded to the community's oral health needs throughout the peak of the pandemic. Even during the lockdown, we formed small teams to respond to emergencies. There were instances where even the police dropped the elderly at the clinic who needed emergency dental care.

There has been a lot of misinformation, fear and doubt. After the lockdown, many of those who needed less urgent dental and oral care preferred to avoid their dental appointments and dealt with either self medication or home remedies or both. Simple requirements like dental clean ups, regular dental restorations and visits for braces were put on hold and then forgotten in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Now, after nearly two years, the implications of these decisions as well as the dental impact of the pandemic are widely experienced. We are looking at a huge increase in dental infections. Not only is there an increase in the number of clients requiring root canal treatments or periodontal care, but there is an increased incidence of associated or resistant infections such as cysts and abscesses. 

We are seeing a significant number of emergency situations associated with broken teeth (due to clenching) caused by the stress of the pandemic. The need for a single-tooth dental implant is on the rise, which may be confirmed by the large increase in the sale of dental implants. Poor diabetic control, an increase in shingles, neuralgia and lichen planus are also observed, possibly with all associated stress.

Thanks to “work from home” culture and online education, access to snacks is easier. As a result, the incidence of dental caries and pericoronitis has increased. People with dental appliances who have missed their monthly follow-up need an extra year to complete their treatments. 

More than ever, it’s now critical that we learn from the complex events, we have surpassed and emerge from this pandemic faster, stronger, and ready for any challenges ahead. It will take time to get over this pandemic, but it will certainly be easier if we can do it with a smile on our face. Good oral health care will be essential for achieving this objective.

Looking forward to working closely with you as we tackle the pandemic.

Yours truly,
Dr Gurudev & Team Smile Station