With the COVID-19 pandemic sweeping across the nation, things like routine dental checkups and doctor’s appointments are getting postponed or canceled. At Hamilton Dental Designs, we’re currently offering only emergency dental care. Dr. Jose Gil, an Allentown, PA dentist, offers tips on what to do to help your oral health if you’re missing your scheduled dental checkup.
Make Sure You Reschedule
In some cases, you may have already heard from our team to get your dental appointment rescheduled. If not, make sure you call or use our online scheduling tool to get that sorted out for the future. Even though you may not be having your checkup at the time it was intended, it’s still important to get a professional dental cleaning for your oral health. You’ll also want your teeth looked at after all the extra pandemic stress.
Keep Up With an Oral Healthcare Routine
We know that the pandemic has uprooted everyone’s normal lives and schedules. You may be adjusting to working from home, being laid off, and/or helping your kids with online learning and making sure they’re occupied. All of these things can fill your mind and make habits like oral care fall by the wayside.
However, making sure you’re keeping up with your routine is essential. Make sure you’re still brushing and flossing at least twice a day to help prevent the spread of tooth decay and further issues. If you need to, set an alarm or reminder on your phone for both morning and evening You can make sure the whole family is remembering to keep those teeth polished and clean!
Have a Healthy, Balanced Diet
Diet may have more impact on your oral health than you realize. First, avoid having too much sugar. Oral bacteria feed on the sugar and their byproduct is acid that eats through your tooth enamel. This is what causes tooth decay and cavities. If you’re eating hard candy, there’s also a risk if you try to bite down on it. Hitting it at the wrong angle may cause a broken tooth and lead to a need for emergency dentistry services.
Next, drink a lot of water. If you’re drinking tap water from your faucet, there’s a good chance it’s been enhanced with fluoride. This helps strengthen the enamel on the outside of your teeth. Water also is a good way to keep your mouth hydrated and can rinse away the remaining sugars and food particles that are sticking around your smile. Drinking water can help prevent those from causing any issues later.
Last, eat a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables that have a fibrous texture. These include things like celery, apples, and carrots. Eating these requires a lot of chewing, which boosts saliva production in your mouth. Saliva is also essential for helping to rinse away food particles and sugars. Their texture also assists in getting between the teeth to dislodge leftover food.
Your Dentist in Allentown, Pennsylvania
If you have a dental emergency, please call us immediately to get it taken care of. Otherwise, we’ll be ready to see you for your regular checkup once this crisis is over. Call us or schedule an appointment online. We hope we’ll get to see you soon!