Due to COVID-19, dental practices across the country were closed to everything but emergencies. Now, as things are slowly opening, we’re able to perform regular dental services. But what if you had an appointment scheduled during the time our office was closed? Dr. Glen Wainwright of Austin Dental Care, a dentist in Austin, TX, offers some suggestions.
Reschedule Your Appointment
Just because it wasn’t an immediate dental emergency doesn’t mean it’s not important. Things like family dentistry are crucial to the oral health of everyone in the household. It’s important that you all get those bi-annual checkups and cleanings. We may have already reached out to you to get things rescheduled. If not, please call us or use our online scheduling tool to get something set up!
Keep Up With a Home Oral Healthcare Routine
During these strange times, it can be hard to keep up with all the little things. This may include brushing and flossing, especially if you aren’t really going out and about and are working from home. However, brushing and flossing twice a day isn’t something you can let fall by the wayside. It can lead to things like tooth decay and gum disease.
Try setting an alarm on your phone for mornings and evenings. This can help you make sure you’re at least getting two a day in. It may even help the rest of your family remember! If you’re still having trouble, it doesn’t hurt to brush more than twice a day. You can brush and floss after every meal if that helps with remembering. This comes with the added benefit of getting food particles away from your teeth quickly.
Watch What You’re Consuming
We know you may not have the most balanced diet right now. Grocery stores have been struggling to keep certain items stocked. With the added stress of this pandemic and all the change, we’ve all been turning to comfort foods as well, which normally aren’t the healthiest. However, there are some simple things you can do with your diet that can benefit your oral health.
First, avoid consuming too much sugar. Sugar is one of the worst things for your teeth. Harmful oral bacteria use it as their main food source and then emit an acidic byproduct. This byproduct eats through the enamel on your teeth, leading to tooth decay and the need for fillings, root canals, or even tooth extractions. The more sugar you’re consuming, the more this byproduct is being released in your mouth.
Also, make water the primary thing you’re drinking. It won’t contain hidden sugars or additives like other beverages might. If you’re drinking tap water, it’s also very likely that it’s fortified with fluoride to strengthen your tooth enamel. Even if it isn’t, water is still the best choice to keep your mouth hydrated. It helps to rinse sugars and food particles away from your smile.
Your Dentist in Austin, Texas
We want to make sure the pandemic hasn’t caused problems with your smile. Call us or schedule an appointment online!