After the novel coronavirus outbreak hit the United States, over 90 percent of dental practices closed down and canceled non-urgent procedures like teeth cleanings, according to the American Dental Association . The goal: to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and free up valuable personal protective equipment (PPE) and medical supplies for health care workers on the frontlines.

For weeks, many dentists have only been able to see patients for emergencies, per , which caused many people to fall behind (or even more behind than usual, let's be honest) on routine dental appointments. Now that the U.S. has begun to reopen, you might be wondering: When can I schedule a dental appointment? And is it even safe to go in for a cleaning right now?

Read on for everything you need to know about dental care in the time of COVID-19, including whether or not you should go in for your cleaning once your city or state reopens and how to ensure youre in a safe space when you do.

Is going to the dentist even allowed right now?

That depends on where you live, says , DDM, a practicing dentist and owner of Dunn Dental Group in Washington, D.C. While dental offices are generally considered essential businesses, what that means from state to state varies vastly.

For the most part, dental offices have been closed with exceptions for emergencies during stay-at-home and shelter-in-place orders, per the CDC . Now its up to local governments to decide when they feel comfortable allowing dental offices to reopen for non-urgent or elective procedures like teeth cleanings, she says.

You can get information about mandates, regulations, and recommendations for dentistry by state with this interactive map from the American Dental Association (ADA).

As of May 7, 23 states have allowed dental offices to reopen for cleanings, per the ADA , and many others are scheduled to follow suit in the upcoming days and weeks.

But some other state governments (like in New York, Michigan, and Washington) are still advising dental offices to stick with emergency-only appointments, which are determined on a case-by-case basis, per .

If your dental office is indeed open for business, there are still some safety concerns to consider in light of COVID-19.

Why might going to the dentist be a risky move right now?

For starters, COVID-19 is a tricky virus. If you, another patient, or a dental staff member are carrying the virus, you might unknowingly spread it to other people for days , says , MD, an infectious disease specialist and deputy medical director at Westmed Medical Group in Purchase, New York.

That means, even if dental offices are screening patients and staff for symptoms of COVID-19, without actually testing employees and patients for the disease ahead of the appointment, someone carrying the virus could still make their way in. (FDA-approved tests for COVID-19 have not yet been made available to dentists in the U.S., according to a recent statement from the ADA.)

Sadly, it's basically impossible to get your teeth cleaned without putting yourself at risk. The new coronavirus spreads primarily via respiratory droplets at close distances. You cant exactly wear a face mask while your teeth are being cleanedwhich means your nose and mouth are totally exposed, says , MD, an infectious disease specialist and director of the antimicrobial management program at Emory University Hospital.

Dental staff are at an even greater risk of contracting COVID-19, Dr. Kesh and Dr. Varkey agree. Sure, dentists can wear a face mask during the entire procedure (which can help keep their germs in and away from you ).

However, getting your teeth cleaned is typically a pretty messy process, no matter how often your dental hygienist kindly wipes your face. Those high-speed instruments dentists use for every teeth cleaning tend to spray large droplets of water, saliva, blood, microorganisms, and food particles out of your mouth and into the air. This process could produce an aerosol or mist, says Dr. Kesh, and spread the virus if the patient is infected.

Viral particles could also potentially linger on surfaces or in the air after the fact, too. More research needs to be done on whether you could catch COVID-19 wafting through the airwaves, but a showed viral particles may survive for three hours in the form of an aerosol. Since most dentists dont have airborne infection isolation rooms or single-patient rooms, that makes a dental office a high-risk area , says Dr. Varkey.

Another concern: PPE is in high demand and short supply right now. While , DDS, a dentist based in Beverly Hills, says he hasnt had issues getting the supplies his office needs, Dr. Dunn notes that she hasnt been able to find hairnets (a.k.a. bouffant caps) and has only enough PPE to see a limited number of patients.

Does this mean a cleaning is a hard no? Im overdue!

Honestly, it depends. If your area is experiencing a downturn in COVID-19 cases and has allowed dental offices to open for non-emergency procedures, you can (and perhaps should) get your teeth cleaned.

I wouldnt recommend people put off their dental appointments because teeth cant heal themselves, says Dr. Dunn. If youre overdue for a dental appointment and put it off for even longer, you might set yourself up for a bigger and more costly problem later on, like the need for a root canal (ugh).

\"Dont be afraid to advocate for yourself by calling up your dental office to ask what theyre doing to protect you, their staff, and other patients.\" Sandra Kesh, MD

On the other hand, if youre in a community where theres been a recent uptick in COVID-19 cases, delaying a routine cleaning or elective procedure is probably a prudent choice to make, says Dr. Varkey. In this case, youd be protecting yourself and doing your part to practice social distancing the most effective tool we have to slow the spread of the virus, he says.

So, in short, whether or not you head in for a dental cleaning depends on your individual health needs, says Dr. Kesh. If youre not sure what to do, have a history of dental problems, or typically need routine cleanings due to a health condition like gum disease or heart disease, call your dentist to figure out the best decision for you, she suggests.

What if I have a dental emergency?

By all means, call your dentist right away if you have any , says Dr. Maddahi. Trauma (such as a broken tooth), bleeding, or an infection (which can cause throbbing or constant pain, swelling in your gums, face, or neck, or a pimple-like abscess in your mouth) are all legitimate reasons to seek professional dental care ASAP. And infections arent to be messed with, as they can be life-threatening, says Dr. Varkey.

Will dentist appointments look different when social distancing ends?

Absolutely, says Dr. Maddahi. While dental offices already tend to be on the super-clean side, many dentists are taking it up a notch to protect themselves, their staff, and patients from COVID-19, according to new .

Heres what you might expect if you head in for a dental appointment in the near future:

• Staggered appointments. To promote social distancing, many offices are spreading out appointments and ditching the traditional waiting room (so you may not even see another patient).
• A screening questionnaire. Before you come in, expect a phone call with questions about whether youve had or been around others who were sick with it. You might also get a temperature check at the door.
• Masked dental staff. The ADA that dental staff wear surgical masks or N95 masks.
• No guests allowed. Unless its medically necessary to have someone else come along, youll be at the dentist by yourself, says Dr. Maddahi.

When her practice reopens, Dr. Dunn plans to offer hand sanitizer and face masks at the door, check temperatures at the door, and install specialized air filters, among many other safety measures. She also hopes that dentists will be given access to testing kits in order to actively screen for COVID-19.

If youre considering scheduling an appointment, dont be afraid to advocate for yourself by calling up your dental office to ask what theyre doing to protect you, their staff, and other patients, says Dr. Kesh.

The bottom line? Keeping yourself and others safe from COVID-19 is important. So is routine dental care.

Ultimately, whether or not its time for a dental appointment when your area opens up depends on your health status, dental needs, and comfort level with the COVID-19 situation is in your area. If youre super overdue for an appointment, theres no risk in asking your dentist what theyd recommend. And if youre facing a full-on dental emergency, call a dental office ASAP to get the help you need.

Finally, remember to , , and if youve been grinding your teeth at night (#stress), get an over-the-counter mouthguard to protect your pearly whites, says Dr. Dunn.