As we all follow the stay-at-home guidelines from our local health authorities and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention during this period of national crisis, maintaining good oral health has never been more important. Like most dental practices across the nation, Sutra Dental Spa is currently open only for dental emergencies in order to minimize the spread of the coronavirus; therefore, a number of general and preventive dentistry procedures—such as routine dental cleanings and other elective dental care treatments—are not readily available for many individuals. Until we are able to re-open our doors for non-emergent dental treatments (and we will!), our dentist, Dr. Jimmy Wu, would like to provide you with some tips on how to keep your teeth and gums as healthy as possible during the pandemic.
The following guide offers a summary of some helpful tips recently offered by Healthline, an online resource for health information:
Brush Twice a Day and Floss Once a Day
Brush your teeth a minimum of twice each day—after every meal is even better—and thoroughly floss at least once daily. This is the most beneficial way to address plaque and bacteria that collects on the teeth and along the gums. Brushing and flossing as recommended can reduce the risk that gum disease, an uncomfortable cavity, or other serious concern may develop.
Clean Your Toothbrush On a Regular Basis
It is very important to note that the plastic material and soft bristles that make up a toothbrush can serve as carriers for viruses, so please give your toothbrush a good cleaning on a regular basis. Placing the toothbrush in a solution composed of mouthwash and hydrogen peroxide can be helpful for keeping it sanitary.
Use an Alcohol-Free Mouthwash At Least Twice Each Day
A twice-daily rinse with an alcohol-free mouthwash is also a good habit to form. Alcohol and some types of antibacterial ingredients may potentially affect the immune system, and we need our immune systems to be especially effective during this crisis. That’s why it is preferable to use mouthwashes and toothpastes that do not contain those ingredients at this time. A salt-water rinse about three or four times each day can also be good for maintaining oral health.
Maintain Good Hydration and a Healthy Diet
As always, drinking plenty of water is essential, and keeping to a healthy diet is necessary for both oral and general health. Please be sure to eat fruits and vegetables daily, and try to minimize your intake of food and drink items that contain high amounts of starch and/or sugar. Additionally, please be extremely careful if you choose to eat foods or candies that have a hard or tough composition. These items can fracture or break a tooth. They can also produce extensive damage to a dental restoration.
During a virus outbreak, we need our immune systems to be fully on guard against the threat, and not focusing on problems that may be occurring with the teeth and gums. By taking these basic steps, you can go a long way toward helping the immune system center its attention on where the fight needs to be!
Our beautiful La Mesa and San Diego community is strong and resilient, and we are going to get through this. If you think that you are experiencing a dental emergency, please don’t hesitate to call us at (619) 828-5779.
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