With many dentist offices closed, experts say it’s more important than ever to brush properly and floss regularly.
Good dental hygiene might not be in the front of your mind in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. That could change quickly if you develop a painful cavity and can’t get in to see a dentist.
On a long list of things in these trying times is oral care.
Generally speaking, dentists’ advice is to maintain a daily routine of brushing teeth and flossing to prevent tooth decay.
The main objective is very simple: plaque control,
advised to brush teeth twice daily and flossing once per day and brush your teeth for 2 minutes,”
”Rinsing with a non-alcohol-based mouthwash twice a day also can help reduce plaque buildup leading to inflammation of the gums (gingivitis).
“The oral microbiome is a key component of the immune system,”
“Your best bet is to use a hydroxyapatite toothpaste or fluoride toothpaste "
Avoid excessive snacking — a habit that’s all too easy to adopt when dealing with the stress and boredom inherent in self-quarantining.
Starchy foods or drinks lead to acid in our mouths, which dissolves the outer layer Enamel. The more often our teeth are bathed in these acids, the weaker and softer they become, leading to sensitivity/chipping/pain."
Resist turning to unhealthy habits to manage your stress. Overindulging in smoking and drinking can be detrimental to oral health. Smoking inhibits the blood supply to your gums and increases your risk for gum infections. High exposure to alcohol can dry out the cells in your cheeks and gums.
Chewing on ice, pen caps, or fingernails as a means of stress management can cause the teeth to chip or break. Dentists also recommend avoiding hard foods that can crack a tooth or damage fillings as well as popcorn, peanut brittle, and sticky candy.
Take good care of your toothbrush, very sensitive for transmitting viruses. Keep your floss pics, brushes, and tongue cleaners covered. Soaking them in a mixture of mouthwash and hydrogen peroxide also keeps them safe.
”Healthy gums can better prepare you to fight a coronavirus infection".
“There are established scientific evidence that the immune response in your body is closely related to the health of your gums,”
During a pandemic, the goal is to optimize your immune system. A healthy mouth frees the body’s immune system to fight off other intruders.
Dental Association advised
dentists are prohibited from providing nonemergency services, including aesthetic work, exams, cleanings, and fillings.
“This accomplishes three very important things, it preserves the nationwide supply of personal protective equipment for our front-line heroes, prevents the spread of this virus through congregating in dental offices, and eliminates the need for dental emergency patients from flooding into emergency rooms that are better used fighting the virus.
Many dentists have turned to telemedicine to counsel patients by phone or video conferencing.“
Most dentists are keeping themselves and their phones open to give advice.
If you have a sharp or throbbing pain in your teeth, gums, or mouth, you should contact your dentist immediately. Consult with them online via call/ video chat.
“Any pain or trouble swallowing or breathing may be better served by your medical doctor".
” Normal toothaches should be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers."
Dentists face one of the highest risks of contracting coronavirus, even greater than nurses or paramedics. “We literally work 6 inches away from our patients’ faces during dental procedures,”
As a result, expect your dentist to take additional safety measures if you do have to make a visit for an emergency procedure — for your protection as well as the safety of the dentist and their staff members.