Dental Health & Hygiene Tips To Follow When You Can’t See The Dentist

Due to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, many dental offices around the US have closed, and are now only seeing emergency patients and those with critical care needs. At Southington Dentistry, we’re doing our part, so we are no longer offering regular preventive care treatments until further notice. Wondering how you should keep your mouth healthy until you can see your dentist for a six-month teeth cleaning and oral exam? Here are some tips from Dr. Neil Salesky and the team at Southington Dentistry.

1. Make Sure You’re Brushing At Least Twice Per Day

At a minimum, you should be brushing your teeth at least twice per day for two minutes. Ideally, you should do this once in the morning and once at night. Be thorough, and spend at least 30 seconds on each quadrant of your teeth, cleaning the front and back surfaces and the tops of each tooth. 

2. Start A Flossing Routine

If you don’t already floss once per day, this is a great time to get started. Flossing once per day will help remove food particles, plaque, and bacteria that regular brushing simply can’t reach. In turn, this reduces your risk of cavities and gum disease. For even better results, we recommend adding an antibacterial mouthwash into your teeth cleaning routine. Simply rinse with mouthwash whenever you’re done flossing. This will kill bacteria, and rinsing with mouthwash will help you get rid of the particles in your mouth that have been loosened by flossing.

3. Eat Foods That Are Good For Your Teeth

Avoid eating too many sugary or starchy foods like pretzels, chips, candy, and cookies. Foods high in sugar and simple carbohydrates encourage the formation of plaque and bacteria. Opt for a diet that’s high in fiber-rich foods like fresh fruit and vegetables, healthy dairy like yogurt, lean meats, and whole-grain products. As a rule of thumb, foods that are good for your body are also great for your teeth! 

4. Drink Plenty Of Water

Staying hydrated helps keep saliva flowing in your mouth properly. Saliva naturally rinses away bacteria and food particles. Dehydration can thicken your saliva and dry out your mouth, so make sure you’re drinking plenty of water throughout the day.

5. Avoid Doing Things That Could Damage Your Teeth & Dental Work

Don’t chew non-food objects like pens and pencils, and even your fingernails. This can wear down and damage your teeth. Additionally, don’t use your teeth as tools to open packages, tear tape, or do anything else that doesn’t involve chewing food. Finally, be careful when you eat. Don’t eat extremely hard foods (ice, almonds, etc.) with your front teeth, and use your molars instead. If you have multiple fillings or crowns, don’t chew extremely sticky foods like toffee and caramel with them, as they could be pulled out of your tooth. 

Follow These Tips & Advice To Keep Your Mouth Healthy

Even if you can’t see Dr. Neil Salesky for a teeth cleaning, you can still keep your mouth healthy until normal operations resume at Southington Dentistry. Wondering when you can get an appointment? Contact us online to get the latest updates! And remember, we’re still seeing patients with dental emergencies. If you have an emergency, give us a call at (860) 263-0401.