The challenges posed by the COVID pandemic and the various responses to it are legion. Businesses, families, individuals, and communities all face unprecedented challenges as we move through this experience together. The toll on our health, both mental and physical, is measurable; we’re all struggling to stay sane and healthy at this time.
Within all this stress and strife, we should continue working to maintain our oral health. It’s easy to let things slide when you have so much else on your plate, but your teeth and gums simply can’t be ignored in the same way some other things can. Fortunately, we have some tips for you about maintaining your dental care during the pandemic both at home and in conjunction with your dentist. Let’s take a look!
First and foremost, it’s important to maintain healthy routines at this time. Whether you’re back to a regular work schedule, working from home, or still in quarantine, keeping up a daily routine composed of healthy habits is a big step toward keeping yourself safe, sane, and in good health. This includes good oral health habits, especially a brushing, flossing, and mouthwash use regime. It’s easy to let these slip when you’re schedule is out of whack and you may not be feeling the best, but they’re so important in terms of preventative care in supporting the health of your teeth and gums. Make time to brush and floss after eating every day and your smile will thank you in the long run.
On a related note, maintaining good dietary habits is important to all aspects of your health, but especially your teeth. If you’re stuck at home for whatever reason, it’s so easy to give in to junk food, excess snacking, and stress eating. It’s important to avoid these, as they can have a negative impact on your entire body including your oral health. Substituting a cup of herbal tea for a sugary snack or finding other ways to alleviate boredom keeps you and your teeth healthy and happy while supporting good habits which will last a lifetime!
Along with snacking and stress eating, many folks are dealing with these difficult times by indulging in tobacco, alcohol, or coffee a bit more often than usual. While this may provide a short term solution to stress or boredom, any of these habits can do bad things to your teeth and gums in the long term. Possible effects include gum disease, tooth decay, or tooth loss. It’s best to avoid alcohol, tobacco, or coffee entirely or at the least limit your intake to special occasions.
Finally, while the pandemic has raised many concerns about public spaces and public gatherings as ways in which people catch COVID19, you need to know that we are doing everything we can to keep you safe. We are scrupulous about keeping things clean and avoiding infection or disease transmission under normal circumstances, and we’ve added additional safeguards during the pandemic. There’s no need to worry about a visit to the dentist office–just follow the instructions and things will be fine. If you need a routine exam and cleaning or have another procedure in mind, don’t hesitate to book an appointment today. Your dentist and their staff are here for you, even during the pandemic.
Things may be difficult right now, but they will get better. Until then, keep yourself and your teeth clean and healthy and reach out to us if you have any concerns or if you’d like to make an appointment. Whatever happens, we’ll get through it together.
