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COVID-19 Update & Why We Are Open
Staying Safe During an Outbreak
As health officials seek to contain the coronavirus outbreak, unprecedented safety measures have been issued for our protection. We want to reassure you that Dr. Head and her office are taking extraordinary measures to protect your health and well being.
Your Protection Against Exposure
As a healthcare provider, we are held to higher sanitary standards by law. We follow all OSHA requirements including fully sanitizing exam rooms between patient visits, sterilizing dental instruments after patient visits and wearing protective gear such as medical gloves and masks.
To further protect you and the community, we’ve prepared this message to alert others to the connection between one’s oral health, immune system and bodily diseases—including viruses¹—and provide additional preventive tips.
Link Between Oral Heath, Illness and the Immune System
Your mouth is home to billions of bacteria; some are friendly bacteria while others are harmful. When your oral hygiene regimen is properly done and your immune system is intact, the harmful bacteria is kept in check. However, when oral hygiene habits are poor—including insufficient brushing or flossing and too few professional cleanings—the harmful bacteria can cause tooth decay and gum disease.²
This tooth decay and gum disease create inflammation which, in turn, damages your gums’ blood vessels and allows bacteria into the bloodstream.³ By its nature, this bacteria not only evades the immune system, it manipulates it so the harmful bacteria can continue to survive.⁴ As your immune system weakens, your susceptibility to diseases like the coronavirus and other infectious illnesses increases.
This harmful bacteria can also trigger other health issues such as cardiovascular disease, heart disease, pneumonia and, for expectant mothers, premature birth and underweight babies.² And, as health officials continue to warn us, the coronavirus is more likely to be contracted by those with underlying medical conditions.⁵
Why We Won’t Close Our Doors
Despite our own risk of exposure, we refuse to close our doors amid this healthcare crisis. As a frontline healthcare provider, we firmly believe it’s our responsibility to detect and eliminate those oral issues which threaten your immune system and your ability to ward off infectious diseases including the coronavirus and the flu. It’s our mission to do all we can to preserve and protect your health, in good times and bad.
Warning Signs of Oral Decay and Infection
If you are experiencing any of the following signs of bacterial decay or infection, we strongly recommend you come see Dr. Marylou S. Head to address the issue:
- Severe tooth pain
- Swollen face, cheeks or gums
- Sensitivity to hot or cold food or beverages
- Sensitivity when biting down
For patients who already have a compromised immune system, eradicating oral decay and infection is even more imperative.
Of course, if you have any signs of illness, stay isolated and seek medical attention as warranted by coronavirus health guidelines.
Preventive Oral Hygiene Tips
Here are some oral hygiene tips to reduce the risk of exposure to the coronavirus and other illness in your household:
- Use Your Own Toothbrush: The coronavirus is spread through touching a surface or object which contains the virus and then touching your nose or mouth (and possibly the eyes). Never share a toothbrush with anyone who may have been exposed to the coronavirus or is ill. As a side note, rinsing the toothbrush will not decontaminate it. To be safe, never share a toothbrush for any reason, even with loved ones.⁶
- Don’t store toothbrushes in closed containers: Bacterial growth can occur on toothbrushes when they are covered or stored in closed containers.⁶
- Don’t share toothpaste: Sharing toothpaste tubes can spread germs. If a member of your household has been exposed to the coronavirus or other communicable disease or is presently ill, give them their own toothpaste tube to use.⁷
- Eat Right: The right nutrition supports all your body’s vital functions including the immune system. Guidelines include eating fruits, whole grains, a variety of vegetables and proteins—such as seafood, lean meat and poultry, eggs, nuts, seeds—and more.⁸ Dietary guidelines can be found on the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services site at www.HHS.gov.
- Take Vitamin C: A recent medical study indicates vitamin C helps prevent the common cold and reduces its duration. Moreover, inadequate C increases one’s risk of contracting the flu and makes flu symptoms more severe. As studies continue in vitamin C’s direct effect on the coronavirus, taking this supplement should help support your immune system.⁹
Stay Calm
Despite the alarming headlines, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the risk of Americans being exposed to the coronavirus is low and that most cases are mild.¹⁰ On our last check, the CDC was reporting 1,629 cases of coronavirus in the U.S. amid a population of 329 million. That means just a fraction of one percent of all Americans have the virus right now and it’s likely symptoms are mild. Compare that to CDC estimates of at least 36 million U.S. cases of the flu over the 2019 – 2020 flu season (March 1, 2019 to March 7, 2020) with a minimum of 370,000 million flu hospitalizations. ¹³
In the meantime, continue to follow CDC guidelines and if you are experiencing signs of oral decay or infection, do not ignore them. Come see us to get it rapidly addressed and eradicated as a health risk.
Best regards,
Dr. Marylou S. Head and her staff
1. Colgate: “Eight Common Oral Infections”
2. Mayo Clinic: “Oral health: A window to your overall health”
3. Johnson & Johnson: “4 Fascinating Things Scientists Know About the Billions of Bacteria in Your Mouth”
4. Science Daily: Smile: “Gingivitis bacteria manipulate your immune system so they can thrive in your gums”
5. Harvard Health Publishing: “Coronavirus Resource Center”
6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: “Use & Handling of Toothbrushes”
7. University of Rochester Medical Center: “Toothbrush Tactics: Give Germs the Brush-Off”
8. U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services: “Dietary Guidelines for Americans”
9. MedicineNet: “Can Vitamin C Prevent and Treat the Corona Virus?”
10. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: “Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)”
11. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: “Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the U.S.”
12. The United States Census Bureau: “U.S. and World Population Clock”
13. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: “2019-2020 U.S. Flu Season: Preliminary Burden Estimates”
Award reflects company's consistently high level of customer service Marylou S. Head DMD has earned the service industry's coveted Angie's List Super Service Award, reflecting an exemplary year of service provided to members of the consumer review service in 2013. We are honored to have recieved this award due to the overwhelming support of our patients. The satisfaction of our patients is our #1 priority! Angie's List has been a wonderful source of advertisement for us as we rely only on word of mouth referrals. "Only about 5 percent of the companies Dr.Head competes with in Lexington are able to earn our Super Service Award," said Angie's List Founder Angie Hicks. "It's a mark of consistently great customer service." Angie's List Super Service Award 2013 winners have met strict eligibility requirements, which include an "A" rating in overall grade, recent grade, and review period grade; the company must be in good standing with Angie's List, have a fully complete profile, pass a background check and abide by Angie's List operational guidelines. Service company ratings are updated daily on Angie's List. Companies are graded on an A through F scale in areas ranging from price to professionalism to punctuality. Members can find the 2013 Super Service Award logo next to company names in search results on AngiesList.com.
Dr. Head attended the National Meeting of the American Dental Association in San Antonio in October 2014. While at the meeting she visited the manufacturer's exhibits and was able to see and experience the latest in dental technology and innovations in the dental field. She also attended two continuing education courses, one by a world renowned dentist and researcher, who discussed various types of crowns made of different materials and their advantages and disadvantages. A second course entitled "Melting Tooth Syndrome: Treating Erosion and Sensitivity" addressed the effects of the popular sugary drinks (sports drinks, soda, and energy drinks) and their levels of acidity, which contribute to tooth decay and sensitivity. Both courses were interesting, informative and relevant to the day to day practice of dentistry. Dr. Head enjoyed her few days away from the office and will be able to apply the new information she obtained for the benefit of her patients.
Dr. Head and her team attended the Six Month Smiles seminar in Atlanta, GA in October 2014. Our office is now offering short term orthodontics in the form of Six Month Smiles. To find out how you can have straight teeth in six months, click on the link below or just give our office a call to set up a free consultation!
Pictures below are of Dr.Head and team up-dating their CPR certification with instructor and patient Robert Carmichael of the Winchester Fire Department.
2013 Office Christmas dinner at Portofino's Including recent staff additions Kendell and Allie
In February 2013, Dr. Head and team attended the Academy of Laser Dentistry's 20th annual conference and exhibition held in Palm Springs, California. The Academy of Laser Dentistry is an international professional membership association of dental practitioners and supporting organizations dedicated to improving the health and well being of patients through the proper use of laser technology. The Academy actively encourages education and research through its certification programs, publications, meetings and additional activities. Dr. Head and our hygienist Charity, have been members of the Academy of Laser Dentistry since 2011 after completing their standard proficiency exam and certification course. As one of the first dental professionals in this area with CO2 laser technology, it has been an asset in providing minimally invasive care to patients receiving minor surgical procedures and pain reduction treatments including periodontal therapy, extractions/oral surgeries, biopsies and treatments of painful ulcers and cold sores. To find out more about laser therapy, see the laser dentistry link on the home page or give us a call today.
This year's 2013, American Dental Association meeting, held in New Orleans, LA, was a big success. Dr.Head visited many booth's showcasing the latest in dental techniques, equipment and materials. She attended a course on Dental Sleep Medicine, which addressed the latest technology in diagnosing and treating obstructive sleep apnea and snoring. Additionally she attended a denture fabrication course, learning some new, innovative techniques and procedures to help make the denture patient's experience as efficient and patient friendly as possible. If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea and are looking for a comfortable and effective device or if you are in need of a beautiful, well fitting set of dentures, come see us. To learn more, see the service section of our web page and select the treatment you would like to learn more about.
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