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PUBLISHED ON 21/04/20
We’re all in self-isolation to not only keep ourselves safe, but to keep our community safe.
It’s easy to fall out of long-enforced routines now that self-isolation is the new norm, where anything goes – which is why at Maidstone Dental, we want to remind you that we need to try our best to look after ourselves. We want you to create new habits and new routines to ensure we stay healthy, even when we’re locked indoors, starting with taking care of your teeth.
With changes to your dietary habits and routine, plus not being able to visit your dentist for a regular check-up, it is now more important than ever to take the necessary precautions to keep our teeth as healthy as possible.
It is just as important as before to brush your teeth twice a day. It’s easy to just get up, grab some food and go about your day without brushing your teeth, especially as we’re not leaving the house. Or to spend the day in bed or on the couch, and forget to brush. But brushing your teeth with a soft bristled, flexible-necked toothbrush for two minutes, twice a day, protects you from gum disease, whilst ensuring you remove all the plaque and germs that damage your teeth. For children, try putting on their favourite song to let them know when they can stop brushing. Alternatively, you can grab a powered toothbrush which allows you to set a timer.
Furthermore, don’t forget to floss! Brushing your teeth doesn’t necessarily ensure that you remove all the plaque between your teeth. Use floss or interdental brushes to get in the nooks and crannies! Not only will this protect your gums from gum disease, but it will give you a healthy smile.
We understand that stressful times induce behaviours that aren’t necessarily the best for us. With self-isolation in particular, we’re feeding our boredom with lots of snacking, and making sweets like banana bread and cinnamon rolls. However, foods that contain a high amount of sugar actually feed the bacteria in your mouth. These bacteria are what cause tooth decay. Our suggestion is to limit the amount of sugary snacks that you and your family consume; this will protect your smile by reducing the rate of tooth decay.
Finally, it’s easy to forget to drink lots of water and stay hydrated when you’re not at work. There are no snack breaks, no “stretching the legs” by walking to refill your water, and the kitchen seems so far away from the comfort of the couch. It’s imperative for your health that you drink enough water each day. In most areas around Australia, our tap water is fluoridated. This means it helps strengthen and protect our teeth. Moreover, drinking fluoridated water after eating helps clean out your mouth of food particles that cause plaque. This promotes healthy gums and strong teeth. So please don’t forget to stay hydrated!
Maidstone Dental understands the immense stress everyone is under during this unpredictable time. We’re all doing our best to cope with the new situation we find ourselves in. However, we want to ensure that you leave isolation with the healthy teeth and gums you entered with. Please consider our tips to ensure you maintain your pearly white smile!
If you would like to read more about dental hygiene visit our general dentistry page.
