Staying On Top Of Oral Health During COVID-19

Let’s face it. None of us planned for 2020 to go quite this way. COVID-19 disruptions are reverberating across the globe on every level. From stock markets to our favorite Thai restaurant, life’s different for now.

Many elective dental and medical procedures are on hold as the healthcare system scrambles to keep up.  In most places, regular dental cleanings and cavity repairs have to wait until the curve flattens and the risk falls.  More than ever, keeping on top of your oral health may help prevent more significant problems now and later.

Over two-thirds of dental visits to an ER are considered non-urgent or semi-urgent and best handled in a dental office. Many of those problems could be prevented with optimal home care. (2014, Majority of Dental-Related Emergency Department Visits Lack Urgency and Can Be Diverted to Dental Offices Authors: Thomas Wall, M.A., M.B.A., et al.)

The essential goal during COVID-19 is to stay out of the ER and avoid unnecessary dental treatment of any kind. These habits help, and they’ll definitely pay off down the road:

1. Do The Obvious Daily: Brush twice, floss once. We all know it, but it’s easy to let it slip when our regular routines get disrupted. If it helps, put a reminder in your phone. Remember, a little bit of gum disease becomes a little bit more.
2. Get A Waterpik: If you have one, excellent work. If not, consider it. Waterpiks flush away plaque and bacteria and can keep gum areas or wisdom teeth pockets from swelling.
3. Tie the Knot: If you think something’s caught between your teeth, like a popcorn kernel, try to remove it so it doesn’t fester. Try tieing a knot in floss and gently pulling the knot back and forth between teeth. Knots can help remove hard-to-get debris.
4. Skip the Ice: Avoid chewing on ice to minimize the chance of breaking teeth. Ice chunks create stress on enamel and cause painful cracks.  Limit corn nuts, popcorn kernels, and other hard foods, too.
5. Educate Yourself: Maybe you’ve been too busy to learn about dental implants or invisible teeth straightening methods. Check out our website or message us for educational material that we can send you on any topic.

Good oral health makes life better, no matter what’s happening. But a few simple habits help cut the risk of dental emergencies now and help ensure long-term benefits.  Let us know if we can answer any questions: We look forward to seeing you again soon!