Your Oral Health During COVID-19

Even though vaccines have been developed, and are in the process of being distributed, it will literally take months before everyone in this country has received the vaccination. That means it’s still extremely important that you don’t overlook your oral health during COVID-19. In fact, it might be more important than ever that you remember good hygiene and take steps to maintain good oral health, as this awful pandemic finally winds down. Here are some of the things you can do to ensure good oral health during COVID-19.

Make sure to brush your teeth regularly

Regardless of what state the pandemic is in, you should brush your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes, and you should be using a toothpaste which contains fluoride. The American Dental Association recommends these actions in order for you to maintain good oral health. This should be very easy for you if you get into the habit of brushing your teeth after you wake up, and right before you go to bed at night. When you do establish a built-in habit of brushing twice a day, you’ll notice that there is a reduced risk of cavities, food remnants and plaque are removed, bad breath is handled more effectively, and good oral hygiene is maintained.

Use an antibacterial mouthwash

There is no better way to remove bacteria, banish bad breath, and maintain good dental health than using an antibacterial mouthwash regularly. This kind of a mouthwash is excellent at preventing problems with your oral health such as plaque buildup, tooth decay, cavities, and gingivitis (gum disease). It’s also very important for strengthening the enamel of your teeth, and for protecting them against all the harmful agents which they might encounter during the course of a normal day. If you’ve been avoiding mouthwash because you are bothered by dry mouth, you can use a non-alcoholic mouthwash to overcome this.

Floss daily

You might be quite surprised to find out how many food fragments and other materials are left behind in your teeth after eating a meal. Even if you have rinses your mouth out with water or some other beverage, it’s very likely that a considerable number of particles have become trapped between your teeth. Sometimes people will use toothpicks or even their fingernails to remove those particles, but this is not the best way to get them out, since it can actually injure your gums or your teeth.

By far the best method for removing any kind of material from your teeth is to engage in regular flossing. If you have difficulty with the flossing procedure, you can consult with your dentist about a flossing alternative which will be just as effective at removing food particles. Whatever you do, don’t overlook all the potential food particles which can become trapped between your teeth, because if they’re not removed, they will eventually harden into plaque, and that will cause problems for both your gums and your teeth.

Avoid smoking

Smoking is extremely bad for your oral health, in a number of different ways. For instance, smoking is known to cause gum disease and to worsen any gum disease which you already have in progress. Smoking also causes dental plaque which can degrade both your gums and your teeth, and if the situation gets bad enough, it can weaken your teeth to the point where one or more might need to be removed.

Smoking is also known to cause tooth decay, and it can stain your teeth badly if something isn’t done to counteract the natural staining action. Smoking will also contribute to giving you bad breath, unless you make a concerted effort to circumvent this by using a mouthwash regularly. Finally, smoking can cause several types of oral cancers, either to your lips, your gums, or other parts of your mouth. When this happens, it might very well be that some part of your mouth has to be removed to prevent the spread of the cancer.

Watch your diet

In the time of coronavirus, it’s especially important that you pay close attention to your diet in order to maintain oral wellness. Some things you should pay special attention to are avoiding sugary items between meals, and avoiding sweets which are known to cause cavities. You’re much better off eating a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables and then drinking adequate amounts of water to stay hydrated.

It’s a good idea to do as little snacking as possible and to avoid all the junk foods which are available at your grocery store. Instead, opt for foods that are rich in calcium like beans or almonds, and which are high in fiber. By maintaining a good diet, you will be boosting your immune system, and reducing the likelihood that you contract coronavirus disease.