Long before COVID-19 was declared a pandemic, dental practices followed basic infection control protocols to keep their patients and staff safe. Equipment and behaviors like PPE, high-volume suction, instrument sterilization, and disinfection were already routine in dentistry. The virus has since required dental offices to take further protective measures such as staggering appointments, screening patients and employees, using thermometers, and wearing face shields and surgical-grade masks.
While dental offices were previously classified as nonessential at the start of the pandemic, and visits were limited to emergency care, it’s important to remember that oral health is vital to overall health. Having access to reliable general dentistry, like that offered at Smile Reston Heights, is key to maintaining excellent oral and physical health. Even in this challenging time, our team in Reston, VA, is dedicated to providing patients and families with excellent and affordable dental care.
Below are a few reasons why dentistry remains essential, even in the midst of a pandemic.
Home Care Isn’t Always Enough
While regular flossing and brushing at home will keep your teeth clean and help prevent cavities, home care isn’t always enough. There are many reasons why our full range of dental services are important, which include:
- Identifying potential problems – Checking your teeth in the bathroom mirror will rarely reveal any underlying or developing issues. Dentists can prevent problems by spotting issues like the early onset of gum disease or dental decay before they develop into real problems.
- Checking for oral cancer – At every regular check-up, your dentist will check for mouth cancer. They will search for lumps in your neck and red or white patches in the mouth. While these checks usually result in no concerns, they could save your life.
- Professional cleaning – Regular brushing and flossing alone won’t rid your teeth of plaque and tartar completely, which contribute to tooth decay and gum disease. Dental hygienists give you a professional cleaning, called a ‘scale and polish,’ to eliminate any signs of plaque or tartar on the surface of your teeth. Smile Reston Heights also offers cosmetic services including teeth whitening.
- Cavity detection and fillings – Cavities are a common occurrence, especially if we aren’t as good about our diets or dental hygiene as we should be. Dentists have the necessary knowledge and tools to scan patients for cavities and catch them early on. Without dental visits, you may not recognize a cavity until it infects the nerve of your tooth and becomes painful. What could have been treated with a small filling may require a crown or root canal months later.
Smile Reston Heights: Dependable General Dentistry in Reston, VA
As cities begin to reopen across the country, Smile Reston Heights continues to follow the CDC’s guidelines to ensure the safety of our patients and staff. Understanding the essential nature of quality dental care, we are returning to providing professional general dentistry services to patients throughout Reston and Northern Virginia. With a team of highly-skilled dentists and hygienists, Smile Reston Heights is dedicated to providing our patients with the best possible services in general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry.
Contact us at (703) 386-7872 to book an appointment and learn more about the services we offer.