how to take care of oral health during COVID-19

Your oral health may not be a huge consideration right now in light of the global coronavirus pandemic, but that could change quickly once you develop a severe toothache with an abscess. You will regret not taking care of your oral health.

During these uncertain times, lockdowns and quarantines are easing, however, this could once again change abruptly. A quarantine is always a possibility until a vaccine becomes available. So, control what you canand this means taking control of your oral health.

Generally speaking, it is important that you maintain the habit of brushing twice a day and flossing your teeth daily to prevent plaque and tartar from building up. This is particularly important these days when people are advised to stay at home and observe social distancing.

Here are our tips on how you can take care of your oral health during COVID-19:

Be Mindful of Your Diet

What you eat is important to your oral health. Make sure to avoid snacks that will be harmful to your dental health. People tend to eat sweets and junk foods to deal with pandemic stress and quarantine boredom.

Starchy foods create acids that destroy the surface of your teeth. The more acid there is, the weaker the tooth becomes. Avoid non-fiber carbohydrates and processed foods as well.

Avoid Smoking and Drinking

Resist going back to unhealthy habits to manage your stress. People can revert to bad habits during quarantine because of boredom and stress. Unfortunately, smoking can inhibit blood supply to the gums, which increases the risks of gum infection. Alcohol can dry out the cells in your mouth.

Keep Your Toothbrush Clean

Make sure to disinfect your toothbrush regularly. It is also best to keep your brushes separate during this period. This is to keep family members safe in case someone has been infected with COVID-19 and is not yet showing symptoms.

You might also want to keep your brushes, tongue cleaners, and floss pics covered. Soak them regularly in mouthwash mixed with hydrogen peroxide to keep them clean. Avoid flushing with the lid open. Flushing releases bacteria in the air which could get to your toiletries if you are not careful.

Floss Your Teeth Daily

The plaque that forms initially after you eat is easy to remove. It only becomes dangerous to your oral health if it stays on your teeth for a long time. It travels under the gum line, and it hardens into tartar, which is incredibly difficult to remove. 

You will need to schedule a teeth cleaning appointment to get rid of the tartar buildup. Tartar can lead to gum diseases, tooth decay, tooth loss, swollen gums, bad breath, and abscesses. Make sure to floss daily to rid your teeth of any plaque buildup.

Don’t Forget to Drink Water

Water washes off food particles that are stuck between your teeth after eating. It also neutralizes the acids that form when saliva mixes with sugar. Water also helps with saliva production and promotes healthy gums.

Water keeps your mouth lubricated, and it helps ward off harmful bacteria from forming.

Get an Electric Toothbrush

Brush your teeth with an electric toothbrush as this removes more plaque and tartar than traditional brushes. Electric toothbrushes rotate and oscillate so these things can reach areas that traditional brushes can’t normally reach.  

These toothbrushes can remove up to 21 percent of plaque and tartar, and they can significantly reduce gum diseases and gingivitis.

Count on Us

Until this pandemic is over, you can count on us to provide dental consultations and help as needed. During these scary times, the goal is to strengthen your immune system. This means making sure that you take care of your oral health as well, so your body can fight off intruders like the coronavirus.

The American Dental Association advised dental offices to restrict their operations to emergency dental procedures. However, many dental offices, including LandMark Dentistry, have started to resume their operations. 

But since social distancing and staying at home are still the best options to avoid being infected, you should take care of your oral health. 

If you need help, you can get in touch with us and we can provide counsel via phone, but we are also open for elective and emergency dental procedures. We are keeping our phones open for dental counseling and our doors are open for a scheduled appointment.

Your safety and our staff safety is our number one concern. We know that we all take risks with every dental appointment. So, please expect that we will take additional measures to ensure your safety with every visit.

If you are suffering from any dental issues or have concerns, do not hesitate to contact us now or schedule an appointment with us.