Today, Drs. Morrow and Hartman from Elite Dental talk about tips for keeping up an excellent oral hygiene routine while dental offices across the country are closed except for emergent care.
We know you keep hearing to avoid touching your face, but now is also not the time to slack on your oral health! Here are some things you can do to prevent dental issues while you’re staying at home.
First things first, wash your hands! Follow the recommendation from the CDC to help prevent the spread of coronavirus and wash your hands for at least 20 seconds.
Clean under your fingernails, between your fingers and don’t forget your thumbs. Always wash your hands prior to placing your hands or fingers near your mouth.
Brush twice daily for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste, and don’t forget to floss once a day. Most people put off flossing, but now is especially not the time!
Still feeling nervous about having your hands or fingers near your mouth? Floss picks are an option, but be aware of their limitations. Floss picks can’t get below your gum line and along the angles of each tooth. Fine in a pinch, but washing your hands thoroughly and flossing with string floss is best.
Try to limit carbs and sugar as much as possible to keep cavity causing bacteria off your teeth. We know it’s all too easy to snack frequently while staying home, but limiting your sugar intake can help prevent cavities. Stick to a healthy, fresh diet and use high sugar, high carb treats sparingly. The less time the sugar is on your teeth, the less likely to cause a cavity.
Having jaw or tooth pain? Our first tip would be to try to manage with over-the-counter pain relievers like Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and Tylenol. If you find yourself clenching or grinding more, try your best to practice relaxation techniques like massaging sore muscles with warm heat, ice any joint pain, eat a soft diet and avoid anything crunchy or chewy like gum.
If the pain is UNBEARABLE or you have any active swelling, give your dentist a call immediately. There are limitations on emergencies we can see, but we’ll do our best to get you through this time.
By not taking excellent care of your teeth now, you’ll put yourself at a higher risk for oral health complications and a possible emergency in the future. Stay healthy, stay safe, and stay at home… and don’t forget to brush and floss.
Dr. Hartman and Dr. Morrow practice at Elite Dental in Arlington, Virginia and are currently accepting new patients.
Call 703-988-6963, or email [email protected] to schedule an appointment.