Tips for Dental Health During COVID-19 Outbreak

Dental health remains as important as ever during the COVID-19 outbreak. However, you should still make your oral health a priority. The good news is that there are a few ways to maintain your dental health. A diet of nutritious foods and good oral hygiene are both ways to keep your teeth healthy. Keep reading to learn more.

EAT A GOOD DIET

Patients should monitor how much sugary or acidic food they take in. This includes desserts, but it also includes citrus fruits, which are high in acid. This substance can directly break down the enamel. Sugary foods feed bacteria in the mouth, which produce acids that eat away at the outer coating.

It can be easy to turn to comfort foods during the COVID-19 outbreak. But hard candies, coffee, chips and other foods can negatively impact the teeth. It is better to eat these in moderation to avoid staining and plaque. There are many healthy foods that are beneficial for the teeth.

For example, foods that are high in calcium can fortify the teeth. Cheese, fat-free milk and yogurt are all good choices. For a dairy-free choice, patients can choose dark, leafy vegetables as well as almonds or tofu. Phosphorus, such as eggs and beans, can strengthen the teeth. Vitamin C is good for both the gums and the immune system. This can be found in peppers, tomatoes, spinach and potatoes.

HAVING GOOD ORAL HYGIENE

The daily schedule of many people may be thrown off. However, it is still important to maintain dental health through hygiene practices. That includes brushing the teeth both in the morning and evening. Flossing is also very important. This can go a long way toward preventing issues that might require costly restorations later. The more the patient does now, the less likely it is they will need to do later on.

PRACTICE MINDFULNESS

During COVID-19, many people are under additional stress. Some may be out of work while others may not be able to find necessities at the store. A common reaction to this stress is jaw clenching or teeth grinding. However, this can cause earaches, headaches and jaw pain, which can only add to the stress. Repeated grinding can cause the teeth to wear down as well.

One way to prevent this issue is to practice mindfulness during stress. Patients can take time to purposely relax the facial muscles and jaw. There are also jaw exercises that can be done at home to reduce tension. During the night, patients may want to consider using a mouthguard. This can prevent the teeth from rubbing against each other while the patient sleeps.

MAINTAIN YOUR DENTAL HEALTH

By eating the right diet, keeping your teeth clean, and minimizing stress, you can keep your smile healthy. This will minimize your potential need for emergency oral care. You may also find that you can save money on dental restorations. After the COVID-19 outbreak is over, you can still have healthy teeth.