The Importance of Oral Health Care During Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on the lives of millions of people around the world. It has caused people to abruptly change their daily routines, which has led to the tremendous stress, strain, and anxiety. However, you must still pay attention to your health. The importance of oral health care, in particular, cannot be overstated. Although the virus has made it more difficult to access dental services, there are things that you can do on your own to maintain high standards of oral hygiene. Following the advice below will help you and your family get through the pandemic with good oral health.

Why Is Good Oral Health Important During a Pandemic?

The better shape your teeth and gums are in, the less likely you will develop problems that require specialist treatment. On the other hand, the deterioration of oral health can lead to toothaches, cavities, and bleeding gums, all of which are painful.

Poor oral health has been strongly linked to the following conditions:

• Preeclampsia and other pregnancy complications
• Bacterial infection in the bloodstream
• Coronary heart disease
• Diabetes

If you have children, you should be vigilant about their oral health care. Tooth pain makes it hard for kids to concentrate on school work. It can also lead to behavioural problems in the classroom and low grades.

How to Help Prevent Dental Problems During a Pandemic

There are a few minor things you can do to prevent dental decay and infection. Making these habits part of your pandemic routine will help you keep healthy teeth.

Brush Regularly

Brushing and flossing is the first obvious habit to get into. You should brush with a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day. It is best to floss before you brush. You should also wash your hands before you brush and floss. Although you may be in the habit of washing your hands when you re-enter your home, you should make a point of doing so before you pick up the floss. Otherwise, you risk introducing germs directly into your mouth.

Keep your bathroom clean, and never share your toothbrush with another person, not even a relative. However close you may feel to the people who live in your house, it is better to keep the germs that you share among yourself to a minimum.

Regular Dental Check-ups

You should take advantage of the times that your dental clinic is open. Like many organisations, your clinic may have had to adjust its opening hours because of staff shortages. They may also have to close temporarily if there is a COVID outbreak among staff. You should make a point of getting examinations when you can, and these should be as regular as possible.

Avoid Junk and Sugary Food

You must also pay close attention to what you put into your mouth. Consuming certain foods and drinks can cause problems.   

If you are like most people, you have gotten into the habit of snacking during the pandemic. The pandemic may have compelled you to rearrange the way that you work and put you in a position to do your job from home, in which snack foods are readily available.

It is okay to snack sometimes. You have to find little ways of coping with the current crisis. However, try and remember that your teeth need a break from having food around them. Non-stop snacking on a daily basis puts you at a much higher risk of dental problems. Where possible, we recommend eating no more than 5 times per day and allowing your teeth a few hours in between each time you eat for the teeth to have a rest. This will significantly reduce the chance of tooth decay occurring.

You should also avoid fizzy drinks. This will be hard for some people, but you should know that fizzy drinks like Coca-Cola can have what is equivalent to 10 teaspoons of sugar in each can. Choose sugar-free coffee and tea instead. There is also an entire industry devoted to the production of tasty and sugar-free soft drinks.

It is okay to snack once and a while. However, you should avoid doing so constantly. Less lengthy periods of eating help promote oral health.

Offer Fluoridated Water

You should provide fluoridated water to your family. It keeps teeth strong and reduces cavities by 25% in children and adults. Australian tap water is fluoridated and is perfectly safe to drink.

Summary

You must take oral health seriously. Not doing so can lead to complications that go beyond your teeth and gums. Avoiding sugary food and drink is one of the best things you can do. Although snacking once in a while is not a problem, it should be done in moderation and you should choose healthier foods. Visiting your dentist can help you spot problems early. Finally, you and your family should drink fluoridated water.

Do you have any further questions about how to maintain your oral health during the pandemic? Contact us to book an appointment at Whitehorse Dental.