ORAL HEALTH ISSUES HAVE ARISEN DURING THE PANDEMIC, AS MANY PATIENTS HAVE PUT OFF ROUTINE CHECKUPS Dr. Edmond Hewlett, a spokesman for the American Dental Association said even those unaffected by COVID-related issues should keep in mind that maintaining good oral health is a key to overall health. Translation: Don't let a fear of COVID lead to a slide in continuing dental care. "Going to the dentist has been demonstrated to be very safe from the perspective of COVID-19 infection risk," he said. That advice was seconded by Dr. Shervin Molayem, a periodontist and implant surgeon who is also director of the Mouth Body Research Institute in Los Angeles. "People still haven't been to dental offices, even though it's been a year" since the onset of the pandemic, he lamented. "They've thrown off their dental routine," he added. And the result, he said, is an uptick in bleeding gums, periodontal disease, and the ill effects of tooth grinding. "What's causing their tooth-grinding at night is likely their secondary stress from the actual disease," Molayem said. That means COVID- related stress has the potential to cause jaw pain (TMJ), as well as cracked and chipped teeth. His bottom-line: pandemic or no pandemic, make dental care a priority. Presented as a service to the community by Dr. Barbara Webster 1121 Warren Ave., Suite 130, Downers Grove, IL 60515 630-663-0554 SM-CL1976916 ORAL HEALTH ISSUES HAVE ARISEN DURING THE PANDEMIC , AS MANY PATIENTS HAVE PUT OFF ROUTINE CHECKUPS Dr. Edmond Hewlett , a spokesman for the American Dental Association said even those unaffected by COVID - related issues should keep in mind that maintaining good oral health is a key to overall health . Translation : Don't let a fear of COVID lead to a slide in continuing dental care . " Going to the dentist has been demonstrated to be very safe from the perspective of COVID - 19 infection risk , " he said . That advice was seconded by Dr. Shervin Molayem , a periodontist and implant surgeon who is also director of the Mouth Body Research Institute in Los Angeles . " People still haven't been to dental offices , even though it's been a year " since the onset of the pandemic , he lamented . " They've thrown off their dental routine , " he added . And the result , he said , is an uptick in bleeding gums , periodontal disease , and the ill effects of tooth grinding . " What's causing their tooth - grinding at night is likely their secondary stress from the actual disease , " Molayem said . That means COVID related stress has the potential to cause jaw pain ( TMJ ) , as well as cracked and chipped teeth . His bottom - line : pandemic or no pandemic , make dental care a priority . Presented as a service to the community by Dr. Barbara Webster 1121 Warren Ave. , Suite 130 , Downers Grove , IL 60515 630-663-0554 SM - CL1976916