Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many dental offices have been closed to everything but emergency services. This means that other appointments and procedures may have been canceled or postponed. What happens if you had one of those appointments? Dr. Marvin N. Kaplan, a dentist in Cincinnati, OH, offers some answers.
Reschedule Your Appointment
Just because it’s not considered an immediate dental emergency doesn’t mean your appointment isn’t important. Your bi-annual dental cleaning and checkup are still crucial to your oral health. Our office may have already reached out to you to get your appointment rescheduled. If not, please call us or use our online scheduling tool to get something set up.
Keep a Regular Oral Healthcare Routine
Your home oral healthcare plays a big part in your overall oral health. We realize that it may have been more difficult during this time. Adjusting to an entirely different routine when our normal one is upended can be hard. Things that are smaller, like making sure you’re brushing and flossing twice a day, can fall by the wayside.
If you want to avoid problems with tooth decay and gum disease, though, it’s essential to keep up with brushing and flossing. Set an alarm for mornings and evenings to make sure you get at least two a day in. This can remind others in your household as well. If it helps you remember, brush and floss after every meal. It definitely doesn’t hurt if you brush your teeth more often than twice a day.
Watch What You Consume
Your diet may impact your oral health more than you realize. Right now it’s hard to eat a completely healthy diet. Grocery stores have had limited hours and are having trouble keeping the shelves fully stocked. Many of us have been turning to comfort foods as well, which often aren’t the healthiest. But there are some simple diet changes you can do that benefit your oral health.
First, avoid consuming too much sugar. Sugar is one of the biggest enemies of your teeth. Harmful oral bacteria use it as their main food source and then expel an acidic byproduct that eats through your tooth enamel. This is what leads to cavities and the need for dental fillings or a root canal. The more sugar you consume, the more this byproduct is being released into your mouth.
Also, make water the primary beverage you’re consuming. It doesn’t contain any hidden sugars and additives like other drinks might. If you’re drinking tap water, it’s likely fortified with fluoride to strengthen the enamel on your teeth. Even if it isn’t, it’s still the best option for keeping your mouth hydrated. This helps rinse sugars and food particles away from your smile.
Your Dentist in Cincinnati, Ohio
Our office is here for you when the pandemic restrictions are loosened. We’ll make sure the stress of the crisis hasn’t taken a toll on your smile. Call us or schedule an appointment online!