Your Dental Care During COVID-19

All of us at Spink Dentistry have been empathetically watching the events as they have evolved over the past month in regards to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. We want to keep you updated on how our office is handling this crisis, and how you can continue to practice good dental health regimens throughout this stressful time.

SPINK DENTISTRY’S RESPONSE TO COVID-19

Spink Dentistry will be operating under our normal business hours. Standard sanitizing and sterilizing precautions help protect every patient and ourselves from the many infectious diseases that we are potentially exposed to on a daily basis. After every patient interaction, every countertop, chair, etc. is wiped down with a powerful medical grade disinfectant, and every instrument is sterilized under severe heat and pressure. This occurs EVERY time you sit in the patient chair, not just during this crisis.

That said, we will be raising the standard beyond our typical protocol during this time period. We will be utilizing a higher standard of care in our non-clinical areas/interactions as well. We will be removing all magazines and turning the coffee machine off. We will also be taking temperatures on all patients as they enter and anyone with a temp over 99.9 will be rescheduled at least 3 weeks later.

We are also asking if you have a cough, fever or chills, please call and reschedule your appointment.

Instituting these higher standards will help aid in the health and safety for you and our entire team. If you have any questions regarding your upcoming dental appointment, please call our office at (205) 967-8555. As with all of you, we hope this will pass quickly without much more impact on our community/state/country/world.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Under high-stress situations like this one, many patients may forget to prioritize their own dental health. However, this will only lead to future issues later on down the road. We want to encourage patients to practice the following good oral health regimens to ensure that this crisis does not negatively affect your oral health:

  •  Continue Brushing and Flossing Your Teeth – Your oral health is directly related to your overall health. When you continue to take good care of yourself under high-stress, you are reducing your risks for common dental concerns like gum disease, toothaches, and tooth loss. Brushing and flossing at least twice a day goes a long way in reducing your risk for future dental concerns.
  • Eat a Healthy Diet – Comfort foods like soda, coffee, hard candies, and potato chips are notoriously bad for your teeth. Additionally, they can cause discoloration and staining. Eating a healthy diet will help you reduce your risk for plaque buildup and tooth discoloration.
  • Practice Mindfulness – Keeping calm during this stressful time is easier said than done. However, if you clench your jaw or grind your teeth while under stress, it’s important to practice mindfulness to avoid tension headaches or tooth damage. Stretch your facial muscles and relax your jaw periodically throughout the day. If you find that you are grinding your teeth, bring this up at your next dental appointment.

As your trusted dentist in Birmingham, Alabama, we look forward to providing you with excellent dental care even throughout this difficult time. Please schedule an appointment with our team today.