How to maintain excellent teeth hygiene during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
It’s strange to think that only a few short months ago, the world was hustling and bustling like normal. However, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us find ourselves isolated, trying to stay afloat, and wondering if the grocery store on the corner has stocked up on toilet paper and paper towels.
The world will gradually return to normal and it’s important you don’t neglect things like teeth hygiene and dental health. Today, let’s take a look at a few reasons why it’s important that you keep up on your dental routine and then go over a few quick tips to follow.
Only Emergency Services Available
Dental services in St. Petersburg have mostly been stopped until further notice. This includes general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, and routine cleanings. While it’s true that you can obtain help for emergency dental work, the lack of cleanings and small fixes to dental issues means that it’s more important than ever that you take good care of your teeth. You should also make sure you have plenty of dental suppliesto avoid additional trips to the store.
Avoid Developing Bigger Dental Issues
When a tooth forms a cavity or your gums begin to bleed, you can normally visit the dentist and stop this kind of small problem from turning into something much bigger. Right now, you don’t have that choice, unfortunately, if you don’t follow proper teeth hygiene guidelines, then you could be looking at the need for a root canal or other advanced procedure once St. Petersburg dental offices have reopened.
Waiting for a Visit After Reopening
When dental offices were forced to close, anyone who had an appointment that didn’t involve an emergency service had to be rescheduled. This means that obtaining an appointment soon after dentists are back in business again may be a little tough. Exactly how dental offices will handle the influx of patient needs is still up in the air, but even with the best planning, you can expect at least a slightly longer delay than normal. This can exacerbate problems due to neglecting teeth hygiene.
Quick Tips for Great Teeth Hygiene
While it’s true that emergency services are available for those who are experiencing dental pain, you obviously want to avoid this at all costs because of the added expense and discomfort involved.
Here are some simple teeth hygiene tips to follow during the pandemic:
- Brush Twice a Day — As always, regular dental care is the best way to avoid any issues. It’s understandable if you’re distracted by other potential health threats, but be sure that you don’t forget to brush twice per day.
- Don’t Forget Flossing — If you neglect to floss, food particles between your teeth can cause cavities to form. For the best teeth hygiene, reach for the floss at least once per day to effectively achieve good teeth hygiene.
- Limit Certain Foods — Foods and beverages that are sugary or highly acidic should be avoided as much as possible because they increase the chance of tooth damage. If you do insist on indulging every once in awhile, be sure to brush afterwards.
- Use Fluoride Mouthwash — Fluoride is effective in strengthening teeth and preventing tooth decay by washing away bacteria. This protects your enamel and helps improve teeth hygiene, so you don’t want to skip this step.
- Replace Dental Supplies — Although grocery stores aren’t as busy as they were at the beginning of the pandemic, you should keep supplies on hand to avoid delays. Plus, it will lower your chances of being exposed to the coronavirus.
Contact Your Downtown Dentist to Learn more about Teeth Hygiene
Dr. Ferullo is everyone’s favorite dentist in St. Pete and is standing by to help patients with dental work and cleanings once business restrictions have been lifted. If you have any questions or would like to learn about our free teeth whitening, contact us through our website or by calling (727) 822-8101.
