Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many dental offices have had to close to everything but emergency services. This means that regular dental checkups and cleanings have been postponed or canceled. What does this mean for you if your appointment was one of them? The experienced team at Tryon Family Dentistry, a dentist in Raleigh, NC, offers some things to keep in mind.
Reschedule the Appointment You Missed
Just because it got canceled doesn’t mean you should disregard your appointment. Bi-annual cleanings and dental services are strongly recommended for good reasons. Our office may have already reached out to you about getting your appointment rescheduled. If not, call us or use our online scheduling tool.
Keep Up an Oral Healthcare Routine at Home
Especially since you’re missing your deep cleaning, it’s important to keep up with your oral health at home as best you can. We know it can be difficult during this crisis. Normal routines have been upended. You’re adjusting to working from home or helping children with online learning. However, if you want to avoid tooth decay and problems with gum disease, you’ll have to keep up with brushing and flossing.
Make sure you’re brushing and flossing at least twice a day. Set an alarm or reminder on your phone for mornings and evenings to make sure you’re hitting at least this minimum amount. This can help remind everyone in your household as well! Brushing more frequently is never a bad thing, either. If it helps you remember easier, brush and floss after every meal. This gets food particles out of your teeth ASAP too.
Keep an Eye on Your Diet
It’s hard to eat a balanced, healthy diet during isolation. It’s impacting everyone’s mental health differently and many of us are turning to comfort foods to help. Grocery stores may have limited hours and are having trouble keeping some things on the shelves due to people buying in bulk. However, there are some simple ways to help your oral health through what you’re consuming.
First, limit your sugar intake. Sugar is one of the worst things for your oral health. It’s the main food source of harmful oral bacteria who then emit an acidic byproduct. This eats through your protective tooth enamel and it what causes tooth decay and maybe the need for a root canal. The more sugar you’re consuming, the more that acidic byproduct is getting released.
Also, make water your drink of choice. If you’re drinking tap water, it’s most likely supplemented with fluoride. This helps strengthen your tooth enamel. Even without fluoride, water is the best choice for your mouth. It helps keep your mouth hydrated, which is important for rinsing away excess sugars and food particles from your teeth.
Your Dentist in Raleigh, North Carolina
If you experience a dental emergency, call us immediately. And we’ll be here for you after the pandemic for your checkup and cleaning. You want to make sure the stress of the pandemic hasn’t caused problems with your smile! Call us or schedule an appointment online for the future.
