Managing Dental Health During The COVID-19 Pandemic 

The novel virus classified as coronaviruses has significantly affected the world. With a death toll of over 400 thousand and over 7 million infections globally, there is no teeing how far this virus can go. During this pandemic, businesses have had to close down, and people forced to remain at home at all times. This has limited the number of activities going on, including dental services.

If you are a regular visitor at your Phoenix dentist’s office, then the Corona-virus has affected your regular routines. With the orders to stay at home, people are having a hard time getting to the grocery stores, leave alone to visit a dentist.

More About Dental Visits

A trip to the dentist is not for adventure. It is a chance for your dentist to get your oral health in check with different dental programs. Some of the services include:

• Oral hygiene – a big part of visiting your dentist is to book a dental hygiene appointment. This appointment will involve a professional deep clean to remove plaque and tartar in your teeth.
• Teeth whitening – every 6 months or so, a teeth whitening appointment can help sustain a bright beautiful smile.
• Treatments and dental procedures – you never know that you need dental treatment unless you have talked to a specialist about it. The regular visits are the only way for your dentist to closely monitor your oral health and determine possible treatments for when you have infections in your mouth.

Is It Safe To Go For A Dental Visit During The Pandemic?

Emergency dentistry is the only specialty in dental health that seems to hold water during this pandemic. As people are being encouraged to stay home as much as possible dentists are also doing the same. This means that most dental facilities are shut down until further notice.

Ideally, there should not be a reason you should risk your life and that of other people by storming into a dental office as randomly as before. Only pressing dental issues should merit reaching out to a dentist. This only applies to when you have an oral emergency. Even then, it is not safe to walk into an ER facility during the pandemic.

Instead, get a contact for an emergency dentist near you and call them. Have a conversation about your oral problem. During this conversation, your dentist will give you directives on how to handle the problem, and whether or not you should seek further treatment. Whatever you do, avoid going to a dentist without first making an effort to reach out to them.

What Can You Do At Home?

Just because things are looking dull outside does not mean that you let go of your oral health. If anything, this should be the time you put more effort into caring for your health. Some of the ways you can care for your oral health during the coronavirus pandemic include:

• Keep brushing your teeth – if twice is not enough for you, consider brushing your teeth after every meal.
• Flossing – don’t let your house run out of dental floss, as this is the key to fighting plaque and tartar between your teeth.
• Use a mouthwash – occasionally consider rinsing your mouth with a mouthwash. It is packed with antibacterial agents that will help kill all harmful bacteria in your mouth.
• Cut down on sugary foods – this is not just something your dietician recommends. Sugars in foods release acids that are primary for forming oral cavities and causing dental decay.
• Change your toothbrush – has it been over 3 months since you bought a new toothbrush? Consider replacing it.
• Care for your oral appliances – if you have had treatments done before the pandemic, then you need to care for your oral appliances properly. This goes for braces, Invisalign, dentures, and even fillings and dental crowns. The more care you accord your oral appliances, the longer they will serve you with little to no complications.
• Be in touch with your dentist – just because you cannot go to a dental office as often as you would like does not mean cutting ties with him/her. Your dentist still has invaluable input about your oral health. This is especially true for patients who are still undergoing treatment, and those with oral appliances. Talk to your dentist via telecommunication for all your oral concerns.