Covid-19 has led to delays of so many activities, one of them is going to the dental clinics for oral checkups. As a result, children and adults whose dental problems would have been taken care of in a dental office now have to wait to see a dentist. When delayed, these problems become worse, needing more treatment. Hence, dentists advise people to brush twice a day and floss daily to maintain good oral hygiene. By doing so, they will prevent themselves from getting oral infections and problems like a tooth cavity.
Also, parents are advised to take home remedies to protect their children’s teeth during this pandemic. If your pain persists, make an appointment to see your dentist near you for treatment. By controlling the things we eat, especially sugary foods, will help you keep your mouth protected. During this time, use any approved toothpaste that can kill oral bacteria. Here is an overview of why it is important to maintain good oral hygiene during the pandemic.
Why It Is Important to Have Good Oral Health During Covid 19
By keeping high oral hygiene, you’ll prevent yourself from oral infections, having bad breath, and protect your tooth from rotting out because of decay. In children, tooth decay has been a common oral problem, but it is preventable by limiting your children from taking substances with much sugar. When one gets tooth decay, it will continue to get worse unless it’s treated. Please book an appointment with our dentist at Anchorage Dental Arts, who will provide high-quality services and give you some tips to prevent your tooth from further decay. In addition, making sure your mouth is clean and protected all the time will prevent you from getting infections associated with other health problems like asthma and pneumonia. Such infections can lead to diseases like:
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD). It is a disease associated with structural problems, diseased vessels, and blood clots. Research shows that oral bacteria can cause stroke, heart valve complications, and even heart failure.
- Endocarditis. This is an infection that occurs when germs from elsewhere in the body travel through the blood and attach themselves to damaged areas of the heart. The infection involves heart valves.
How to Protect Your Oral Health
Practicing good oral health prevents you from many dental problems. Some of the healthy oral hygiene practices include:
- Avoiding sugary and junk food: These foods have acids that damage your tooth enamel. The more you get exposed to sugary foods, the more your teeth become susceptible to damage and start chipping and cracking gradually. This leads to cavities that cause holes in your teeth.
- You should brush twice a day: Brushing helps in reducing the number of bacteria around your teeth. By regularly brushing your teeth, you prevent yourself from getting gum disease and tooth decay. Also, help your children brush their teeth regularly using toothpaste with fluoride.
- Keep your toothbrush clean: Always rinse your toothbrush thoroughly with clean tap water after brushing. Then let it dry in the air. This helps in preventing microorganisms from spreading on your toothbrush. Our Cordova dentist recommends that you rinse your toothbrush with a 0.5% hydrogen peroxide solution that helps kill bacteria. Also, avoid storing your brush in a closed container which can cause the growth of harmful bacteria.
- Floss your teeth at least once a day: It helps remove food or any particles stuck between teeth. This reduces the risk of having tooth decay or gum disease.
- Replacing your toothbrush more often: It is advisable to replace your toothbrush after every three months. But if you get any symptoms of coronavirus, make sure you replace your toothbrush immediately. Throw away the toothbrush that you’ve been using to avoid the bacterial from getting to the other toothbrushes in your home. Also, store your toothbrush on a clean surface in an upright position.
- Routine dental checkups: Our professional dentist in Anchorage, AK, will check your oral health for any issues during your checkup. The dentist will take you through dental cleaning by removing any plaque buildup. This is important because it’ll help keep your gum and teeth healthy.
For more information call or visit our office today. We look forward to attending to your dental problems.