All over the world, most dental practices have temporarily closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. While many are still treating dental emergencies, routine checkups and cleanings have been postponed until further notice. Until your dentist reopens, it’s up to you to keep your oral health on track! Keep your teeth and gums healthy with these simple tips and avoid a trip to your West Bloomfield emergency dentist during quarantine.
1.) Boost Your Oral Hygiene Routine
You can lower your risk of getting sick with a few simple adjustments to your daily dental care routine. Keep yourself and your smile healthy by:
- Washing your hands before and after brushing your teeth.
- Brushing your teeth for two minutes twice a day and flossing daily.
- Regularly disinfecting high-traffic areas like cabinets, countertops, doorknobs, and sink handles.
2.) Avoid the Store & Conserve Your Toothpaste
The last thing you need during quarantine is to run out of toothpaste! Only use a drop about the size of a pea to keep your smile clean and strong while making your toothpaste last.
3.) Try Homemade Oral Health Remedies
Some minor to moderate toothaches and dental infections can be managed at home with items in your pantry. To mitigate discomfort, try:
- Placing a cotton ball with a few drops of clove oil directly onto a toothache.
- Rinsing your mouth with warm saltwater to soothe inflammation and combat infections.
4.) Mind Your Munching to Avoid Cavities
Staying in quarantine may tempt you to munch mindlessly or stress-eat. Do your best to limit your eating to mealtimes and drink plenty of water throughout the day.
5.) Choose Smile-Friendly Foods
If you do choose to indulge in occasional snacking, pick items that can improve your oral health, like:
- Cheese, yogurt, milk, and other calcium-rich foods to strengthen your teeth and jawbone.
- Oranges, cantaloupe, broccoli, and other sources of vitamin C to promote healthy gums.
6.) Break Bad Chewing Habits
Chewing on hard objects like pen caps, ice, and your fingernails weakens your enamel and can easily chip or crack your teeth. Instead, chew on a piece of sugarless gum.
7.) Practice Managing Your Stress
It’s completely natural to feel anxious during the COVID-19 pandemic. A few stress-management tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention include:
- Eating nutritious meals, getting enough sleep, and exercising regularly.
- Limiting how much COVID-19 news coverage you consume.
- Staying connected with friends, family, and loved ones.
Staying home is the best way to slow the spread of COVID-19. It also presents an excellent opportunity to build some healthy habits! Use these seven tips to keep yourself and your smile healthy until you can visit your West Bloomfield dentist again.
About the Practice
Our top priorities at LakeView Family Dental have always been the health and safety of our patients, staff, and the entire community of West Bloomfield Township, MI. Now more than ever, we encourage all our patients to practice excellent at-home oral hygiene by brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash daily. We have boosted our infection control protocols to keep our office as clean, healthy, and germ-free as possible in case you need to come in to care for your smile. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us via our website or at (248) 363-3304.