21
Apr
Maintaining Your Oral Health During The COVID-19 Pandemic
The first thing people notice about you is your smile and whether or not you have good oral health. If you don’t take care of your teeth, your oral health and smile will suffer. With the COVID-19 pandemic running its course throughout the world, many dentist offices are closed unless it’s an emergency. However, there are still things you can do to maintain the health of your teeth and gums. That’s why Summit Dental Group would like to provide you with the following tips to maintain your dental health while in quarantine.
Understanding Your Oral Health
There is a strong connection between your oral health and the development of gum disease. To take it a step further, there is a strong correlation between gum disease, heart disease, and kidney disease. That’s why good oral health is critical to preventing diseases like these from developing. Preventing disease will also keep your immune system strong to help you fight off the COVID-19 virus if you get it.
Maintain Good Oral Health at Home
The best way to maintain good oral health at home is by brushing your teeth. Proper brushing includes the use of a soft-bristled toothbrush as instructed by your Boise dentist. At Summit Dental, we recommend brushing your teeth at least twice a day, especially after meals to remove any leftover debris that can cause issues with your teeth. We also recommend flossing at least once a day before you go to bed. Why? During the night, our mouths tend to dry out, and bacteria is more detrimental to oral tissues.
Use Fluoride Toothpaste
Your Boise dentist at Summit Dental Group recommends using regular fluoride toothpaste. Why? Many teeth whitening toothpastes contain additives that can harm your teeth and gums. In fact, many brands are incredibly abrasive, which can wear down your enamel, and once enamel is gone, it’s gone for good. This, in turn, makes you more susceptible to additional oral health issues. A plain, fluoride toothpaste approved by the ADA is perfect for cleaning your teeth without any harmful side effects.
Floss Daily
A toothbrush is good at cleaning the surfaces of your teeth. However, brushing isn’t enough when it comes to removing debris from between teeth, which makes them more susceptible to decay. Floss is capable of fitting between these tight spaces and keeping them clean of leftover food particles that accumulate in these gaps, reducing your chances of developing gum disease.
Limit Certain Foods & Beverages
Limiting your intake of certain foods and beverages can protect your enamel and prevent tooth decay and other serious dental problems. Sugary, acidic beverages can break down the enamel of your teeth. When this happens, your teeth are more prone to decay. That’s why it’s best to limit your intake of soda, energy, and sports drinks. Candy also isn’t a good choice if you want to maintain a healthy smile. While you can indulge once in a while, it’s important to avoid sticky, chewy candies like gummies and suckers because they stay in your mouth longer. This, in turn, gives acid and bacteria more time to do its damage.
Summit Dental Group
Although our office is closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are still able to see patients for emergency dental needs. If this is the case, please contact us by filling out our online form or give us a call at (208) 314-2275. In the meantime, we hope these tips above will help you maintain excellent oral health until we can see you again at your next checkup. We hope all of our Treasure Valley patients are staying safe, and we look forward to seeing you again soon.