Due to the COVID-19 coronavirus crisis, dentists all across America have closed down for routine teeth cleanings and preventive dentistry, and are only offering treatment for urgent dental emergencies.
So how are you supposed to keep your smile healthy and strong during this time? Here are a few top tips from Scarsdale Smiles on maintaining proper oral hygiene when you can’t see the dentist.
Daily brushing is, by far, the most important part of a good oral hygiene routine. You should brush for at least two minutes per day, spending 30 seconds on each quadrant of your mouth. It’s best to brush once in the morning after breakfast, and once before you go to bed.
In addition, make sure that you are using an ADA-approved toothpaste with fluoride. This is particularly important when you can’t see the dentist, because fluoride is essential for remineralizing (strengthening) your teeth and fighting back against cavities.
Most people don’t floss every day. So now is the best time to start! If you want to keep your teeth clean and minimize your risk of gum disease and cavities, flossing is essential.
You can floss whenever you want during the day, as long as you floss at least once using proper technique. If you’ve never flossed before or it’s been a little while, take a look at this video for a quick overview of the proper technique.
While it’s no substitute for brushing and flossing, using mouthwash can help you take your oral health to the next level. Using an antibacterial mouthwash helps remove bacteria left behind when brushing and flossing.
For the best results, rinse with mouthwash after flossing. This will help remove food debris and bacteria that have been loosened during the flossing process, and provide you with a smile that feels clean and looks great.
A diet that’s healthy for your body is healthy for your teeth, too. Avoid eating too many processed foods full of simple carbohydrates and sugar, such as candy, cookies, potato and tortilla chips, and desserts.
The bacteria that cause gum disease and cavities feed on sugar and starch, so you’ll be able to reduce your risk of both of these conditions by eating a healthy, fiber-rich diet consisting of fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy, lean meats, and whole grains.’
Limit yourself to 3 meals a day and 1 or 2 snacks. Frequent, consistent snacking should be avoided, because food particles will build up on your teeth faster than your saliva can wash them away. This, in turn, raises your risk of gum disease and cavities.
If you want to maintain a great oral hygiene routine in Scarsdale, make sure you follow these tips. And when dental offices open again, make sure that you schedule a consultation with Dr. Alex Cox at Scarsdale Smiles to get a teeth cleaning and oral exam, and make sure your smile is in tip-top shape.
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