Are you still in the habit of neglecting oral hygiene as a part of your routine hygiene practices?
During these unprecedented times of the COVID-19 pandemic, maintaining a good oral hygiene may not be the first thing on your to-do list but mind you, caring for your teeth should never be put on the back burner. We must understand that this is not the most normal of the times, with dental offices being shut down and developing a painful cavity during this time would not be any less than a scary nightmare, to even imagine. So considering that, we insist that you follow a simple at-home dental hygiene routine to prevent any dental issues during the pandemic.
Hush, Brush, No Rush!
We keep reminding you how imperative it is to brush your teeth at least twice a day, first thing in the morning and last thing before retiring to your bed at the end of the day. Brush for at least two minutes with a soft toothbrush, cleaning each and every possible surface of your teeth thoroughly in order to maintain healthy, cavity-free teeth. It is recommended to use a fluoride toothpaste as they have proven to strengthen the tooth enamel making your teeth less vulnerable to bacterial attacks and hence, protect from cavities.
Have you already tried your hands on an electric toothbrush?
If not, there can be no better time than now! An electric toothbrush has shown to offer the highest levels of oral hygiene only if maneuvered correctly, which is especially crucial during these times.
The Technique Matters!
For effective plaque removal, make sure that you brush using only the abovementioned technique. Don’t forget the purpose of tooth brushing, which is, to remove the bacteria that reside on the remaining food particles that produce acids which damage the tooth enamel and hence, cause cavities. When plaque is left on the teeth over a period of time, it becomes hardened, resulting into formation of dental calculus, that is the most common factor for gum diseases.
Floss And Become A Boss!
Tooth brushing alone has shown to clean only three out of the total five surfaces of the tooth. So, cleaning in-between the teeth at least once a day should be your priority. Flossing helps to clean the areas where a toothbrush often fails to reach. Without flossing, you cannot expect the plaque and bacteria to be completely eliminated from spaces and gaps between your teeth, which can become a potential source of tooth decay and gum diseases. Flossing also helps to remove odorcausing bacteria thereby, helps to fight bad breath very effectively. Never use any other means, except a floss or an interdental brush, to dislodge food particles locked in between your teeth.
Swish And Rinse!
Tooth brushing and flossing gain maximum effectiveness only when followed by a mouth rinse afterwards, because it helps to flush away any remaining, loosened food debris. Salt water or a non-alcohol based mouthwash, a couple of times a day, has shown to reduce the amount of plaque formation on the teeth. Mouthwashes have shown to be lethal to most of the oral bacteria. However, never confuse mouthwashes as replacement for normal tooth brushing and flossing as they should be used as adjunctive procedures only.
Don’t Miss Out On Your Tongue!
Your tongue needs to be cleaned too, at least once daily, either with a tongue scraper or a toothbrush to combat the oral bacteria that cause halitosis or bad breath, more effectively. You should refrain from using some stainless steel tongue cleaners as they can hamper with your taste buds.
Show Some Affection To Your Toothbrush!
The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends replacing your toothbrush every three to four months or whenever the bristles become frayed.
A germ-free toothbrush is the primary step to keeping your teeth sterile. Always try to keep your toothbrush in an open area to allow it to dry adequately so as to prevent any bacterial growth. Storing toothbrushes at least five to six feet away from the toilet helps to prevent contamination with aerosols that are generated on flushing. It is advised that you rinse the toothbrush with lukewarm water every time before use. Additionally, you should keep your floss and tongue cleaners covered.
Consider replacing your toothbrush with a new one if you are recovering from any illness especially COVID-19 infection.
Messy Dental Appliances – The Roadblocks To Good Oral Hygiene!
Removable dentures and removable orthodontic appliances must always be cleansed after every meal or whenever possible with commercially available cleansing solutions and/or tablets or even with regular tap water. If not cleaned thoroughly and regularly, they can serve as home to numerous bacteria due to lodgment of food particles underneath these appliances.
Keep Calm!
It cannot be emphasized enough that stress, especially during these difficult times amidst the pandemic, can result in various health problems including dental complaints like dry mouth, night grinding of teeth and even recurrent oral ulcers. Bruxism or night grinding can be detrimental for the jaw joint and these conditions can welcome gum diseases as well due to interference with thorough tooth brushing practices. It is, therefore, necessary to avoid stress or at least to try avoiding it. Symptoms that persist for long can be alarming! You can consult and visit us at our dental center, Dr. Sachdeva’s Dental Clinic situated in Ashok Vihar, Delhi.
Eat Right, Stay Alright!
Diet plays a significant role in the health of our body, including our teeth. Although, it can be difficult to resist snacking when stationed at your homes due to the countrywide lockdown, but it is imperative to avoid excessive snacking especially stress snacking, consisting of processed and refined carbohydrates, sugary foods and beverages since such food items are known to have higher risk of tooth decay. So, avoid snacking in-between meals, especially hard, sticky, sugary snacks that can crack a tooth or damage existing fillings.
Instead, ensure that you consume tooth-friendly foods including fresh fruits, vegetables, proteins, whole grains, yoghurts and other dairy products. This time should be utilized judiciously to establish a proper health, fitness and diet regimen. Stay hydrated as it also helps protect your teeth by flushing your oral cavity frequently.
Resist And Quit Unhealthy Habits!
Switching to unhealthy habits like smoking tobacco and drinking alcohol in order to overcome stress might sound as an easy plan but these will land you into deeper pits. Smoking and drinking habits have been proven to accelerate your risks of oral diseases, making your mouth highly prone to gum diseases and oral cancers.
Don’t Shy Away From A Dentist!
We know the times are tough and visiting a dental office is fearful for some of you. But we can assure you that caring for you has always been our top priority. We, at Dr. Sachdeva’s Dental Clinic, Ashok Vihar, Delhi, ensure adequate dental treatments and therapies whether you have bleeding or swollen gums, persistent toothaches, mouth ulcers, abnormal grinding habits or any other emergencies that demand prompt and timely management of your conditions. Maintaining a good oral hygiene is the most crucial task during the lockdown period, so that you can visit us only when it is absolutely unavoidable. Till then we are available for quick consultations.
The major goal of caring for your oral health should be to ensure that you have an optimal immune system. Having a healthy mouth is the key to allowing your body’s immune system to fight off the notorious germs. It is important to take care of your body, both mentally and physically, including your pearly whites, particularly during the pandemic COVID-19.