With the COVID-19 pandemic, our normal routines are disrupted. Many of us have had our regular doctor and dental checkups postponed or canceled. Routine dental care may be falling by the wayside as you’re adjusting to working from home or helping your children with their online learning.
However, oral health is essential to keep up with. It’s important to make sure that you keep it in your routine. Dr. Marvin N. Kaplan, a dentist in Cincinnati, OH, discusses the importance of oral health and why to make sure you keep with your oral healthcare routine.
The Mouth-Body Connection
Your oral health has a direct influence on the health of the rest of your body. Oral bacteria and inflammation from gum disease can lead to a higher risk of multiple other diseases throughout your body. These include:
- Endocarditis
- Cardiovascular disease
- Pregnancy and birth complications
- Pneumonia
With gum disease, bleeding gums are a prominent symptom. The openings where your gums are bleeding make it easy for bacteria to get in and travel to the rest of your body through the bloodstream.
With the inflammation, your body spends energy fighting the constant inflammation gum disease produces. This can lower your chance of fighting off other conditions. Your immune system can only do so much.
A Healthy Mouth
Not keeping up with oral healthcare can also impact your self-confidence and cause you pain in your mouth. Tooth decay, if left alone, can infect the pulp of the tooth. This leads to a need for a root canal to salvage the tooth. If left too long, the tooth may not be able to be saved at all. It’ll need to be extracted, leaving you with a missing tooth and a hole.
Missing teeth don’t just make you less likely to show off your smile. It can make it harder to eat or talk. Losing a tooth causes gum recession and bone loss in that area. Your other teeth will try to compensate for the missing one, moving around to fill the gap. It also makes your bite uneven, putting more pressure on your other teeth.
Keeping an Oral Health Routine
At the very least, you should be brushing and flossing at least twice a day. Preferably, you should brush after every meal or snack. If you’re struggling with your new routine, try to set alarms on your phone during the morning and evening for brushing time. This can help the full family get in on the oral care routine!
In addition, your diet has a big impact. Be sure to drink lots of water. This helps keep your mouth hydrated and rinses out food particles from between your teeth. Refrain from too much sugar, as it’s a main culprit of tooth decay. Try to eat a lot of fresh fruit and vegetables, like apples and celery, as they require a lot of chewing and keep up saliva production.
Your Dentist in Cincinnati, Ohio
Keeping up with your oral health during this time is essential. After the pandemic is over, we’ll be here to help you with cleanings and checkups. Call us or schedule an appointment online for the future. We hope to see you soon!