As many of you already know, the coronavirus (COVID-19) has brought our world to a grinding halt. At Butler Family Dentistry, we want to update you on our office’s response to COVID-19, as well as offer you some tips on maintaining your dental health during this stressful time.
Dr. Leah Butler’s Response to COVID-19
Our office has decided to close to prevent the spread of coronavirus. At this time, we will be closed through April 4 and start seeing patients again on Monday, April 6. We will be available to treat dental emergencies (pain, swelling, broken teeth, etc.) on an as-needed basis. If you have a dental emergency, please call the office (440-238-4456). If no one is available to answer, there will be an emergency contact number that will connect you to Dr. Butler.
Thank you for your patience and understanding during this difficult time. We are all doing our best to minimize this outbreak. This is a continually evolving situation, and we will keep our patients notified of pertinent updates.
How You Can Help
Because we are unable to offer preventative care until this crisis subsides, we want you to know how you can continue to care for your dental health outside of our office. Here are our best tips to keep your smile healthy.
- Relax Your Jaw – A common response to stress is to tighten or clench your jaw. Additionally, patients might notice themselves grinding their teeth together. Teeth grinding and jaw clenching can have detrimental effects on your dental health. To combat this, we suggest taking several breaks throughout your day to deliberately stretch your facial muscles and relax your jaw. You can even leave yourself notes around your home to remind yourself to relax your jaw.
- Practice Good Dental Hygiene – We don’t want to see any of our patients facing even more consequences from this crisis than they have to. While it can be difficult to remember to prioritize self-care during this stressful time, please continue brushing and flossing your teeth on a regular basis. Basic dental hygiene goes a long way in preventing future dental concerns.
- Eat Healthily – During this stressful time, we understand the urge our patients might feel to eat comfort foods. In moderation, these foods are fine; however, many comfort foods have sticky and sugary residues that can damage your teeth. Limit your intake of soda, hard candies, coffee, and potato chips. If you do indulge, make sure you follow up by brushing and flossing your teeth to prevent plaque buildup.
We wish everyone in our community continued health and safety, and we look forward to seeing you soon for an appointment following this crisis. If you experience a dental emergency during this time, please contact our office.