At-Home Oral Care Tips When COVID-19 Prevents Routine Dental Visits

As COVID-19 continues to transform the way we live our daily lives, dental offices are doing what they can to prevent the spread of this harmful virus as well. In fact, dental practices around the country are going so far as to close their offices for routine care and only staying open to handle dental emergencies. While this is a great way to reduce the risk of new cases of COVID-19, it also means that patients need to remain diligent about their at-home oral care until offices reopen. According to a dentist in Mesquite, here’s what you need to do to ensure no dental disease develops until your next exam and cleaning!

Dental Practices Working to Flatten the Curve

While it is true that dental offices practice some of the most strict sanitization protocols out there, dentists don’t want to put their patients and team members at risk of contracting COVID-19. Furthermore, dental associations as well as local public health officials have stated that dental offices are at higher risk of spreading COVID-19 due to the nature of dental treatments and the spread of germs. Therefore, dental offices are practicing the next best thing, which is severely limiting visits to the public in general.

With that said, dental practices are largely open for treating dental emergencies and urgent dental care at this time. Since basic preventive care like exams and cleanings are not available, here is what you should keep in mind moving forward to protect your oral health.

Essential Care: Brushing and Flossing

When brushing, make sure to:

• Brush for at least two minutes at a time
• Brush all the surfaces of your teeth, including the flat surfaces of your molars and the back portions that face your throat
• Use a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste
• Use short back-and-forth motions when brushing, making sure to not apply too much pressure
• Confirm that your brush has either soft or ultra-soft bristles, both of which will not damage enamel in the process
• Replace your toothbrush once every three to four months or once the bristles become frayed

When flossing, make sure to:

• Pull out 12 to 18 inches of floss at a time so you have enough to wrap around your fingers
• Gently slide the floss in between your teeth, pulling back and forth when flossing to remove plaque and bacteria
• Avoid snapping the floss so you don’t damage your enamel
• Unwrap a portion of floss from your finger when moving on to the next gap in your smile

If you want to make your oral care easier to complete, an electric toothbrush or water flosser can help with brushing and flossing, respectively. If you want to be extra protective of your teeth and gums, consider adding an oral rinse to your routine as well. Opt for a fluoride-based option that does not contain alcohol. This will reduce the risk of you drying out your mouth, which can actually promote bacteria production.

About Bear Creek Family Dentistry

At Bear Creek Family Dentistry, it’s one of the dentists’ and team members’ highest priorities to help patients maintain positive oral health in between dental exams and cleanings. With dedicated at-home care, you can prevent dental disease from developing until you can schedule your next checkup for yourself or your family. For any questions or to reschedule a preventive checkup, you can contact them through their website.