The American Association of Endodontists (AAE) has dedicated the entire month of May to saving teeth. Save Your Tooth Month, sponsored by the GentleWave Procedure, is a national initiative designed to showcase the benefits of root canal treatment from a specialist.
This year, the AAE said it is emphasizing the need for patients to get back on track with their oral health and see a specialist when there is tooth pain. According to the AAE, regular brushing and flossing along with dental checkups with a dentist can help patients keep their teeth for a lifetime.
The AAE further tells patients that teeth sometimes may have infection or disease and need additional care, so treatments always should be considered to save them.
More than half of Americans put off general dental checkups due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a survey commissioned by the AAE. The pandemic also took its toll on the daily hygiene routines of those working or studying remotely, the survey found. For example:
- 31% were snacking more on sweets.
- 28% didn’t schedule or forgot to schedule a dental visit.
- One in four said they waited until later in the morning to brush their teeth, while 21% didn’t brush in the morning at all.
- 24% said they’re flossing less frequently, and 23% aren’t flossing at all.
Millennials more frequently reported experiencing dental disruptions, with 43% of those surveyed indicating that working or attending virtual classes from home led to disruptions to their usual dental hygiene habits during the pandemic.
The pandemic clearly caused a major disruption in Americans’ dental habits, the AAE said, which is leading to more serious tooth problems, though much of the public appears to understand the importance of facing serious dental issues head on.
Even with the pandemic, the AAE said, 60% said experiencing tooth pain that won’t go away would lead them to make a dental appointment. Also, in deciding between tooth loos and procedures that could save a bad tooth, four out of five preferred a root canal to extraction.
The AAE further noted that when it comes to tooth pain, an endodontist is a toothache sufferer’s greatest ally. Also, the AAE said that visits to endodontists are extremely safe despite COVID-19, with clinicians practicing the utmost caution and disinfection control.
Even at the height of the shutdown period in the United States in the spring of 2020, most endodontic practices remained open to safely treat dental emergencies, the AAE said.
Meanwhile, the AAE encourages endodontists to find out more about Save Your Tooth Month and take part by joining the campaign on social media at:
- Instagram:@savingyourteeth
- Twitter: @savingyourteeth
- Facebook.com/endodontists
- Linkedin.com/company/endodontists
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