It’s not an understatement to say that the Covid-19 pandemic changed our lives in a dramatic fashion. During the early days of the pandemic, many businesses across Canada closed their doors and hospitals delayed non-essential medical procedures.
That meant dentists were no longer able to provide the type of preventative dental care necessary for your oral hygiene. Though dentist offices have now opened for these types of services, you may still feel unsafe visiting the dentist’s office.
There’s nothing wrong with that. If you’ve delayed your bi-annual dental appointments or had them delayed for you, there are things you need to do at home to maintain great oral hygiene during the Covid crisis.
Continue reading for these expert Covid hygiene tips.
Delayed Oral Care
We know it’s not your fault you missed or will miss your dental appointments. If Covid has you feeling unsafe, you’re not alone. For many, it’s a wise choice to wait until vaccination to resume a normal life.
If you decide to visit the dentist when they re-open yet feel trepidation, know that dental professionals follow all of the safety precautions outlined by the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario.
These precautions prioritize your safety and your dentist’s safety.
While delaying oral care during Covid might be a wise choice in the short-term, delaying for too long results in complications.
Delayed preventative care leads to increased plaque build-up. This plaque build-up leads to cavities. Already existing cavities grow and require root canals. Teeth that needed root canals decay further and need pulling.
Delaying preventative dental care also leads to an increased risk of gum disease and enamel wear.
Dental Hygiene During Covid
You either can’t visit the dentist or don’t feel safe doing so. You now wonder, “how do I keep my mouth healthy during Covid?”
It’s not an impossible task. With more determination and attention, you can maintain reasonable oral health during your time away from the dentist’s office.
Brush Twice a Day
If you already pay attention to your oral health, this is an easy task. Brush once in the morning and then once again before you sleep.
These are disorienting times. It’s easy to forget that nightly brush. Make sure you don’t.
Being homebound has its advantages. Dentists recommend brushing at least twice a day or after every meal. This is hard to do when eating out or on your lunch break.
Turn up your brushing habits by giving your teeth a quick clean after every meal.
Floss
Flossing is one of the important oral hygiene tips. Every time you eat, food finds its way between your teeth.
Continue flossing as you do, at least twice a day, or after every meal. If your teeth present a challenge flossing, now is a great time to invest in a water flosser to keep your mouth in spectacular shape.
Quit Smoking
If you smoke, you need to stop. It can’t be said any clearer. Smoking presents so many severe health dangers, including your oral health.
These are stressful and uncertain times. For many, it might be harder than ever to even think about quitting smoking. The truth is, Covid-19 is a respiratory disease, and smoking increases your risk of complications.
If you can’t visit the dentist, smoking cessation becomes more important. Smoking contributes to plaque build-up, gum disease, and a whole host of other oral health issues.
Watch Your Diet
Comfort food is a crutch we use through tough times. To keep your mouth and teeth clean during Covid, you need to modify your diet.
Avoid foods like pasta and bread that cling to teeth. Cut back on the sweets as much as possible, and avoid sodas and other sugary soft drinks.
A diet rich in raw fruits and vegetables will keep your mouth healthy. It will improve your physical health, too.
One important part of your diet when thinking about your teeth is to drink plenty of water. Water consumption keeps your mouth hydrated and helps wash away any food clinging to your teeth.
Cut Your Alcohol Consumption
Alcohol consumption is up across Canada. It makes sense. Kept at home, many people turn toward a familiar diversion.
Who doesn’t love a glass of wine with dinner? Who doesn’t love a cold beer at the end of the long day? Especially now.
Alcoholic beverages contain acids that stain teeth and wear at your enamel. It’s important to keep your alcohol consumption under control for so many reasons, but especially when you can’t visit the dentist.
Mitigate Mask-Mouth
You’re required to wear a mask when you leave your house. You do it to prevent Covid-19 spread. Wearing a mask can have harmful effects on your oral health if you don’t mitigate.
Wearing a mask causes saliva particles to cling to the fabric and cause a bad odor. Breathing through your mouth while wearing a mask can cause your mouth to dry out. This dry mouth can lead to cavities and further decay.
The best way to keep mask-mouth at bay is to invest in mouthwash specifically made for dry mouth.
Emergency Care
While your Ontario dentist might not be available for preventative dental care thanks to Covid-19 restrictions, they still treat dental emergencies. If you experience a dental emergency, do not wait to seek treatment.
Dental emergencies are unavoidable and require immediate care to maintain the integrity of your oral health.
Maintain Your Oral Hygiene During Covid-19
Though you may not be able to seek preventative dental care during the Covid-19 pandemic, that doesn’t mean you can’t maintain good oral hygiene.
Keep up on your brushing and flossing routines. If you can, make a concentrated effort to change your diet and quit smoking. Remember, if you experience a dental emergency, make sure to seek treatment right away.
Your oral health is so important, and we’re here to keep your teeth clean and white. Click here to book a future appointment.