It’s clear over the last two years Covid has had a significant impact on our overall health, in large part this is down to the fact patients have delayed seeking medical and dental care due to the fear of contracting the virus. According to a World Heath Organisation 2020 survey, 75% of respondents reported dental services had been “completely or partially disrupted because of Coronavirus”.
At Advanced Dental Aesthetics in Southend, Essex, we’re hopeful 2022 will be when we see a full return of all patients to our dental practice and in the meantime we’d like to remind all our patients to follow good oral hygiene advice and practice. This blog, therefore, is a guide to what you can do to maintain excellent oral health during these covid times and also list unhelpful dental habits you should avoid.
Firstly, we’d like to stress our Advanced Dental Aesthetics practice has never been safer for practising dentistry. Our Covid and hygiene protocols are second to none so please contact us to book your regular dental appointment. Click the link to find out more about our safe dentistry in Southend.
For some patients the Covid pandemic has meant no or limited visits to the dentists. In addition, it’s been reported that up to a third of adults have increased their snacking habit over the last couple of years. So, the combination of delayed dental visits and a worse diet is a recipe for more dental problems. Poor oral health has been associated with following health issues:
Oral health is vitally important which is why our Southend Dentists always recommend you book a regular 6 month appointment with our dental hygienist. As well as regular dental cleanings there’s a host of things you can do from home to maintain great oral health and some start before you ever pick up a toothbrush.
Choose Healthier Snacks. Sugar is the scourge of health teeth and gums so one of the best ways to keep your mouth healthy involves snacking on healthier foods. Some good food options to consider, are:
Even if you have the perfect brushing and flossing regime, if you snack throughout the day, damaging bacteria will negatively effect the health of your teeth and gums. Limiting yourself to three meals and two snacks per day helps keep your teeth and gums in tip-top shape.
There’s nothing like water. Plenty of drinks have tooth-harming ingredients, and regularly sipping on fizzy drinks, milk, coffee, tea, or juice will encourage decay.
In addition to watching what and how you eat, you may wonder how to look after your teeth during the pandemic. Below you’ll find some healthy habits in which to engage.
Brush and floss regularly. This one almost goes without saying, but it’s so important that it bears repeating. Brush with a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste two to three times a day. Floss after brushing.
Wash your hands before brushing and flossing. After two years of the pandemic we’re now all aware of the benefits of keeping our hands clean. This is particularly important when touching our teeth and mouth.
Antibacterial mouthwash. An antibacterial mouthwash has certain quantifiable benefits, such as fighting bad breath, dry mouth, and certain infections such as thrush.
There’s some activities you should always avoid if you’d like your teeth and gums to stay healthy. Tobacco and smoking, for example, is a no no. Most people are aware smoking leads to bad breath, discoloured and stained teeth, and increased plaque build-up. Cigarettes, cigars and tobacco use can also cause:
If you’ve used tobacco for a long time or started due to the stress associated with the pandemic, the data is clear: Your oral and overall health will suffer unless you stop.
Finally, the pandemic is stressful for most of us and any kind of stress can also lead to harmful effects on our oral health. Ignoring stress often leads to:
If you’re concerned about your oral health then contact us today and we’ll be happy to address any questions. Our Southend Dental practice is open and here for all our patients dental needs.
