TO YOUR HEALTH!
Maintaining Good Oral Hygiene During Coronavirus (COVID-19)
While good oral hygiene may not be at the forefront of our minds given the current global pandemic, it’s actually the perfect time to commit to the health of your teeth. Think about all the free time you might have right now, how are you going to use it? With most dentists refusing non-urgent clients during the coronavirus outbreak, creating a dental routine of your own has never been more important. It’s time to get off the couch, put that junk food back on the supermarket shelf, and step up your oral hygiene game. Here are a few simple ways to take care of your teeth during COVID-19.
Brushing & Flossing
Brushing and flossing is something you do every day (we hope), but there are a few tips and tricks to getting more out of your daily clean.
For the best care possible, we recommend using a soft toothbrush (as hard bristles can damage your enamel) at a 45-degree angle against the gum line and gently brushing the outside, inside and chewing surface of each tooth. This needs to be done twice a day for 2 minutes including a gentle brush of the tongue. Don’t forget to clean your toothbrush often and replace them every 3 months.
When flossing, we recommend using an interdental brush or dental floss pick rather than a floss wheel.
Although mouthwash is not considered an ‘essential’ for good oral hygiene, it is highly recommended. Some mouthwashes, such as fluoride rinses, can help protect teeth against acids produced by plaque bacteria, however, it’s important that you use them as the label suggests. Different brands will have different concentrations so it’s important to check whether your mouthwash needs to be diluted before use. You may also note different times to swish it around your mouth with most suggesting between 30 seconds and one minute.
It’s also important to note that mouthwash does not replace your twice-daily brush and your evening floss. You should also invest in an alcohol-free version and avoid eating or drinking for 30 minutes following a mouthwash.
Diet and Snacking
Eating a well-balanced diet has plenty of health benefits, but during this time it’s even more important to avoid sticky, sugary snacks and drinks. Reducing the frequency of sweets will lessen the chances of a cavity which will result in an emergency appointment at the dentist. If you do have a fizzy drink, rinse or sip some water afterwards but always wait at least 30 minutes before brushing.
Keeping hydrated is also crucial to your oral health. As saliva can help remove food particles and acid, a dry mouth can increase your risk of tooth decay and gingivitis. Water is always the number one recommended liquid for hydration though if you need some electrolytes, opt for a sugar-free sports drink.
Seeing a Dentist During Coronavirus
As we are all likely aware of by now the new coronavirus known as COVID-19 is an infectious disease-causing respiratory issues such as pneumonia. More commonly, symptoms include a fever, cough, fatigue, and shortness of breath. Spread during close contact, most dentists are now opting only to take emergency clients. This includes cavities, abscesses, chips, fractures, and cracks.
If you are feeling unwell and have a cough or persistent sneezing, we ask that you put off your dentist’s appointment until you are feeling better. If your 6 monthly check-up happens to fall within the timeframe when lockdown laws and isolation recommendations are in place, ensure you reschedule as soon as possible.
Want some more tips about keeping up good oral hygiene during coronavirus or do you need to make an emergency appointment? Contact our team at Tooth Crusader on (02) 8097 1838 to see how we can help.