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Dear Patient(s),

We are excited to have the opportunity to welcome you back!

Our office has always utilized personal protective equipment (PPE) that has exceeded all the CDC guidelines, however, in light of the COVID-19 Pandemic we have instituted additional guidelines and protocols to ensure your safety.

You will see many changes, as we have new ways of scheduling your appointments and managing your insurance and financial transactions. First, you will be contacted 48-72 hours prior to your appointment via phone, text or email and asked a set of health-related questions. It is required that we complete this questionnaire prior to your appointment. We will have to reschedule your appointment if we are unable to complete this step. Below is a list of some of the enhanced precautions we have taken to protect you in addition to extensive team training on infection control and patient management procedures.

  1. Personalized arrival procedures to guide you from your car directly to treatment rooms to eliminate contacting surfaces.
  2. Maintain distancing in the reception area for essential caregivers and parents of minors if they cannot wait in a vehicle or outside the clinic.
  3. Removed magazines and items that can harbor or transfer germs of any kind. Hand sanitizers will be positioned throughout the clinic.
  4. Providing more education materials to enhance your awareness of health issues related to this pandemic.
  5. We require a mask to be worn by ALL patients upon entering the office.
  6. Installed sneeze guards or droplet barriers at all reception areas.
  7. Require hand washing and hand sanitizing before all appointments by our team and by our patients.
  8. Introduce an oral pre rinse by all patients to reduce exposure to germs.
  9. Require all team members to undergo periodic testing for COVID-19 and antibodies for the earliest detection of exposure should it exist.
  10. Record temperature of every patient upon entering the office.
  11. Record the temperature and lung efficiency of every team member each day at beginning and end of work period.
  12. Payment arrangements in advance to avoid delay and allow contactless exit from the appointment.
  13. Enhanced operatory disinfection procedures of all surfaces between patients.
  14. Ambient air management with HEPA 13 air filtration continuously in treatment rooms and common areas to remove germs from circulating air.
  15. Enhanced HVAC disinfection with UV light or HEPA Filtration units.
  16. Enhanced operatory disinfection procedures before and after all appointments with mist or fogging devices to access hard to reach places that can be easily missed.
  17. New personal protection equipment like visors, gowns, and masks for our doctors and team to provide barriers against the smallest of germs.
  18. Introduce protocols to reduce or eliminate airborne aerosols during all dental procedures.
  19. Enhanced nightly disinfection procedures of equipment and office fixtures like computers, keyboards, telephones, tablets, chairs, doorknobs, and buttons that may be touched unconsciously.
  20. Disinfection of all outside mail and packages that enter the building.
  21. Longer appointment times for you to prepare and complete all appointment tasks and duties in the safest and most comprehensive manner.
  22. Providing teledentistry services for follow up lab reports or communication that can be done online or through video education.
  23. Provide disease testing recommendations for exposure detection to viruses.

Sincerely,

Lawrence Duffield DDS and Staff

BRRRR! Why Do My Teeth Hurt In The Cold?

Do you find yourself wondering, “Why do my teeth hurt in the cold?” Whether you’re outside enjoying the holiday festivities, exercising or just simply walking to your car, the cold weather that we experience this time of year seems to be a common cause of tooth pain for many people. As many as 40 million adults in the United States suffer at some time from sensitive teeth.

The pain that you feel in your teeth is caused by the movement of fluid within tiny tubes located in the dentin (a layer of tissue found in the gums), which results in nerve irritation when exposed. The pain can be brought on by consuming hot or cold beverages, touching your teeth or exposing them to cold air.

Your Questions Answered: Why Do My Teeth Hurt In The Cold?

There are numerous factors that can cause tooth sensitivity. To properly diagnose the cause of the pain, we advise that you seek the help of a dentist. Below is a list of the common factors that lead to tooth pain:

  • Image courtesy of StockImages at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
    Image courtesy of StockImages at FreeDigitalPhotos.ne

    Defective fillings, crowns or bridge margins with damages from food and mouth acids

  • Cracked teeth
  • Recessed gums from periodontal disease
  • Bite problems
  • Tooth grinding or clenching
  • Infected teeth or gums
  • Teeth that are porous and sensitive
  • Cavities
  • Periodontal disease
  • Large metal fillings

Treatment of tooth sensitivity can be as simple as using a soft toothbrush and desensitizing toothpaste. Your dentist may also apply a fluoride coating to the exposed sensitive areas which will block the pain.

Home Remedies To Treat Your Sensitive Teeth

It is recommended that if the pain lasts for more than three days to visit the dentist. But is there anything you can do on your own? Here are some home remedies that will help to ease your pain:

  • Pay attention to what causes cold sensitivity and try to track it
  • Find the cause of gum shrinkage and treat it appropriately
  • Rinse with a fluoride mouthwash two to three times per day. This will assist in sealing the cold-sensitive teeth.
  • Rinse with sodium bicarbonate and water to rinse and soothe the mouth.
  • Avoid alcohol-containing rinses
  • Wear a bite guard to reduce pressure on your teeth
  • Care for cracked teeth and cavities as soon as you catch them

How Do I Know When It’s Time To See A Dentist?

If your teeth are highly sensitive to cold temperatures for more than 3 or 4 days, it is recommended that you seek the help of a dentist to diagnose the problem. Letting this pain go untreated can lead to more extensive dental procedures down the road. Because the pain experienced from tooth sensitivity is rather similar to that of a cavity, the larger issue may go untreated. The pain may be a result of a cavity that is not yet visible. Only a dentist would be able to determine the true source of your pain.

Dr. Larry Duffield, Your Royal Oak Dentist!

The best way to deal with pain in your teeth from cold weather is to take preventative measures before the pain gets worse. At Duffield Dentistry, we offer everything from basic cleanings and checkups to more advanced cosmetic dentistry.  Call us today at (248) 721-4502 to set up an appointment with Royal Oak dentist, Dr. Larry Duffield!

Call Today to Make an Appointment 248-721-4502 Request an Appointment
2009 Crooks Rd, Royal Oak, MI 48073
  • Mon: 8am - 5pm
  • Tue: 7am - 5pm
  • Wed: 10am - 7pm
  • Thu: 8am - 6pm
  • Fri: 8am - 2pm
  • Sat: 9am - 1pm
  • Sun: Closed