Bellingham Dentist

COVID-19 Update & Appointment Check-in Protocol – Read Details »

Essential Oral Health Habits

Easy Tips to Stay Mouth Healthy

If you are self-quarantined, here are some dentist tips to stay healthy in this time of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Is your diet healthy? Dental experts advise to avoid excessive snacking. Stress and boredom can easily enable us to overindulge – inherent in self-quarantining. Frequent snacking on starchy foods or drinks can overwhelm our teeth with acid, softening and weakening our enamel. It is also recommended to avoid non-fiber carbohydrates which behave like sugar and contribute to plaque buildup. If possible, avoid processed foods. Taking up a Paleo-type diet is commendable.

Dentists agree that good hydration is also important. Drink plenty of water to hydrate the mouth, more especially if you have dry mouth syndrome. Water washes everything down your throat and any virus present is exterminated in the acidic environment of the stomach.

Precautions to Take

To manage your stress, get rid of unhealthy habits like overindulging in smoking and drinking. Smoking impedes blood supply to your gums and increases the risk for gum infections. High exposure to alcohol can dry out your cheeks and gums. Chewing on ice, pen caps, or fingernails can cause the teeth to chip or break. Avoiding hard foods that can crack a tooth or damage fillings like popcorn, peanut brittle, and sticky candy is also encouraged. Be careful when you floss, it may pull out a filling.

Think about how long you’ve been using your toothbrush. It is recommended to change your toothbrush every 3-4 months. Toothbrushes are very sensitive for transmitting viruses.

Many times, our toothbrushes and other toiletries are just inches away from the toilet bowl. Flush with the lid closed. Floss, brushes, and tongue cleaners should be covered. Make sure to keep them clean and disinfect them.

Scientific evidence shows that the immune response is closely related to the health of your gums. During a pandemic, the goal is to optimize your immune system.

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