During the outburst of COVID-19 early in the year, dental clinics across the world closed their doors, accepting appointments only for those patients that required emergency dental solutions. These situations often involved extreme pain, swelling, and other severe issues in one’s teeth and gums.

But now, things are slowly going back to normal, and establishments are resuming operations one by one. In that same spirit, dentists have started reopening their clinics, albeit with caution, as to avoid the spread of COVID-19—which is still very much present globally.

If you still prefer to stay home and think you can prolong your dental check-up, annual cleaning, and other oral procedures, keep reading below to find out how to keep your teeth healthy on your own.

Maintain Your Oral Routine

It’s a simple yet highly vital fact to continue brushing and flossing your teeth regularly if you want to maintain good oral hygiene. It’s necessary to brush your teeth twice a day and floss once a day to make sure you remove all the remaining food particles stuck in between your teeth.

Since you’re home every day, you might find yourself eating and snacking more than usual—so there’s a big chance you’re putting off taking care of your teeth properly! With your situation, it’s also possible to develop cavities that will eventually need an orthodontist’s help.

Don’t wait until you feel discomfort in your mouth before deciding to treat your teeth seriously. If you have braces or teeth aligners, it’s all the more crucial to stick to your oral routine, especially if you don’t want to deal with plaque and cavities. 

Make Use of Dental Tools

Dentists suggest grabbing a new toothbrush every three or four months. It’s also essential to keep it in a safe and dry place, standing upright and away from other people’s toothbrushes. If you aren’t careful, chances are, the bacteria present in their toothbrushes could contaminate yours.

If you think a regular toothbrush isn’t enough, you could consider purchasing an electric toothbrush for more effective results. And if you’re dealing with a growing cavity, you can apply teeth cleaning solutions that involve fluoride or nanosilver components. These ingredients can help eliminate bacteria, remove plaque, and improve oral health.

On the other hand, if you’re dealing with dry mouth, there are alcohol-free products you can use to keep your mouth fresh and hydrated. Meanwhile, people who use retainers or teeth aligners can buy cleansing tablets to sanitize their dental accessories.

Stick to an Interval

If you’re an avid coffee drinker, soda enthusiast, or fruit addict, it’s vital to know that you shouldn’t jump right ahead into brushing your teeth after consuming acidic food and drinks. It’s damaging to your teeth and leads to weak enamel!

Instead, gargle water to clean out your mouth and wait for about thirty minutes before you can finally brush your teeth. The process helps recover your teeth’s normal pH level and aids in reproducing saliva, which you need to protect your mouth from bacteria and plaque.

The same goes for drinking alcohol, as it dehydrates your mouth and leads to plaque and bacteria. Swishing water across your mouth and waiting a while until it’s okay to brush your teeth clean is necessary to avoid further complications.

Conclusion

Along with keeping a healthy oral routine, using dental tools, and maintaining good habits, it’s also essential to stay in touch with your dentist, especially if you’re experiencing discomfort more often than usual. Thanks to technology, you can undergo a dentistry consultation online and can receive a corresponding solution right away to help keep your teeth clean and healthy. 

Are you looking for teeth cleaning services in Edmonton to help you with your oral hygiene? At Edmonton Smiles, we are dedicated to providing our patients with emergency dental services, including cosmetic dentistry, pediatric dentistry, and preventive dentistry. Get in touch with us today to book your appointment! 

Posted in Dental News & Advice