Costa Rica has always been the destination to get your teeth fixed professionally. The dentists are caring and well trained. Best of all, it costs about 30 percent less than in the United States. Now, with the added stress of the COVID pandemic, Costa Rica dental tourism is on the rise.
James Madigan, of CostaRicaDentalGuide.com told the Tico Times: “Nothing reduces stress quite like a vacation. The dual problem of pandemic stress and the resulting stress-related dental conditions among American patients has a simple solution. Patients in need of a vacation and dental care can combine them with a dental vacation to one of the leading dental tourism clinics in Costa Rica.”
Just how is COVID causing problems in the mouth?
There are some reports from COVID survivors that their teeth are loose, grayish, and have, on occasion fallen out. But, there are no studies to back these incidents. However, when the American Dental Association polled its members, they learned that the pandemic stress and worry has caused other problems. Here’s what they reported:
- 71 percent increase in teeth grinding and clenching
- 63 percent increase in chipped or cracked teeth
- 62 percent increase in jaw pain
What does the Costa Rica dental community say?
Dentists like Dr. Tatiana Ortiz, who operates Pacific Smile in Tamarindo beach , has had an uptick in patients from the United States. These include people who have altered their return plans, digital nomads or self-employed here for months, youngsters who escaped the US, and a new influx of tourists seeking dental care and a chance to see Costa Rica.
Ortiz has seen a 75 percent increase of patients who come to her complaining of ailments in the mouth due to stress.
“I have seen in the past few months, a lot of grinding teeth in my patients, and more fractures from stress,” she explains. “One patient who comes to Costa Rica often for dental work, cracked his canine tooth, the strongest tooth. Then I’ve seen people show up with mouth pain, not necessarily from grinding, but from clenching. They don’t notice it, but when we check their mouth muscles, we see the problem.”
Ortiz added that people choose Costa Rican dental tourism, because of an ease of travel to this country, and the fact that dentists follow strict cleaning protocols. Let’s not forget, our dentists are well educated and experienced.
Here are the solutions
Naturally, for lost teeth, dentists here offer implants, crowns and bridges, among other options. Grinding and clinching can be curtailed with a night guard. And of course, cavities will be filled. In the end, as Ortiz comments, practicing stress-reducing activities like massage, meditation, walks and more will help alleviate grinding and clenching.
