The Texas governor recently extended Shelter in Place orders to run through the end of April, meaning that for the foreseeable future, you’ll be spending more time in your home. With all of the extra time on your hands, it’s a great time to focus on caring for your health and making sure that your teeth and gums stay problem-free until you can visit your dentist in Burleson for a checkup and cleaning again. Read on for 5 tips to keep your oral health on track during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Maintain a Nutritious Diet
If you love to snack on sweets, self-isolating can be a tempting time in your life to indulge. However, in order to keep yourself healthy, you’ll need to curb your sweet tooth and focus on maintaining a diet that’s not high in sugars and carbohydrates. These substances are known to play a vital role in the formation of cavities, which can be difficult to maintain without preventive care from your dentist.
Replace Your Toothbrush If You’re Sick
Professionals agree that it’s important to regularly change out your toothbrush, which is why the American Dental Association recommends getting a new one every three months. This is also important to do if you’re sick. Droplets that can spread viruses such as the flu and COVID-19 can easily become trapped in the bristles of brushes and transferred back into your mouth. Although there’s little known about the SARS-CoV-2 and reinfection at the moment, it’s best to be safe and switch out your toothbrush if you’re sick.
Curb Bad Oral Habits
If you tend to bite your nails, smoke, or regularly consume alcohol when you’re stressed, being locked in your house during a global pandemic may make these habits spiral out of control. To protect your oral and overall wellbeing, try keeping bad habits at bay by distracting yourself from the monotony of your environment and endless stream of terrifying news by developing a regular exercise routine or throwing yourself into your work.
Avoid Taking Cough Medicine if You’re Sick
It just so happens that the COVID-19 pandemic falls into flu and allergy season, which can mean a lot of sneezing, coughing, and other signs of illness. Plus, one of the main symptoms for this deadly virus is coughing. If you’re sick, be conscious about what type of medication you take. Cough syrups and lozenges are often high in sugars and other substances that are terrible for your oral health. Instead, try taking pills or a sugar-free medication.
Keep Up With Your Regular Dental Hygiene Routine
While you’re self-isolating, the most important thing to do is stick to your dental hygiene routine. With regular and frequent brushing and flossing, you’ll be able to maintain your oral health and avoid a stressful visit to your emergency dentist in Burleson.
If you do experience severe oral pain during the Shelter in Place orders, contact your emergency dentist immediately to prevent the issue from getting any worse. With the right preventive measures in place and by remaining conscious of your habits and how they impact your health, you’ll be able to keep your wellbeing on track while self-isolating.
About the Author
Dr. Jay Oza is an active member of several professional organizations and provides high-quality emergency dental care to all of his patients in need. He also takes numerous continuing education courses to stay up-to-date with the latest technology and techniques in his field. For questions or to schedule an emergency dental appointment, visit Marvel Dental’s website or call 817-933-3883.