Maintain good oral hygiene with these tips!
As any dentist will tell you, maintaining good oral hygiene is important no matter what is going on in your life. Yes, that even includes when the world is in the midst of a pandemic. In fact, it may be even more important right now since this situation has shut down dental offices across the country except for emergency procedures.
Even though social distancing and other COVID-19 concerns are probably on your mind, you must exercise proper dental care so when you visit your dental office again, you’re not faced with a bunch of unfortunate surprises.
Switch to a 2-2 Regimen for the Time Being
Good oral hygiene often begins with what’s known as the 2-2-2 method, which means you brush your teeth two times a day, for two minutes, and visit a dentist twice a year for a cleaning and check-up. Since dental offices are only offering emergency services until the coronavirus threat has passed, you’ll have to skip that last part for now.
Be Diligent About a Daily Dental Care Schedule
Sticking to a daily dental care schedule is something every person should always do, but you may be more distracted than normal right now. For example, your kids may be out of school or perhaps you’re working from home for the first time. These changes can send your daily schedule out of whack, especially if your routine has been severely disrupted. Adhere to a regular schedule, even if it means creating a daily to-do list.
Don’t Forget to Floss and Use Mouthwash
Your life may be out of sorts right now, but that doesn’t mean that it’s okay to skip certain elements in your dental care routine. Flossing should be done at least once per day and rinsing your mouth with a fluoride mouthwash should be done once or twice a day. These two techniques will further protect your teeth until restrictions are removed and you can schedule proper dental services once again.
Stock Up on Supplies During Next Store Visit
No, we’re not saying that you should start hoarding dental supplies. There’s absolutely no shortage, which means there’s plenty to go around for everyone. However, during this time, you want to limit the number of visits to a grocery store, pharmacy, or other place where you can buy toothpaste, mouthwash, and other items. To do this, pick up enough dental supplies to last for at least two weeks, if possible.
Change Your Diet to Help Prevent Problems
You definitely want to avoid certain foods since you won’t be able to get your teeth cleaned for a little while. Avoid acidic foods when you can and, when you can’t, be sure to brush your teeth afterwards. Also, don’t eat certain foods that may cause you problems such as popcorn or sticky candy that could pull off a crown.
Definitely Call If You Have a Real Emergency
No one wants to expose themselves to COVID-19, but taking care of a dental emergency is definitely something you want to avoid. Doing so could lead to an extremely dangerous situation that could be very detrimental to your overall health. If you experience pain, bleeding, or swelling that seems to be out of the ordinary, don’t hesitate to call your dentist in St Petersburg and get it looked at.
Contact Dr. Ferullo for All Your Dental Needs in St. Petersburg
Even though Dr. Ferullo is only available for emergencies right now, his dental office is standing by to assist new and existing patients once restrictions have been lifted. If you have any questions about good oral hygiene or would like to learn about our free teeth whitening, contact us by calling (727) 822-8101 to schedule an appointment with our dentist in St. Petersburg.
