Due to COVID-19, many dental offices have had to limit their hours and provide care for emergency situations only. Appointments for things like dental cleanings and checkups were postponed or canceled. But what does this mean if you’re one of the ones that missed an appointment? Dr. Uttma Dham of Westside Dental Center, a dentist in Plantation, FL, offers suggestions.
Get Your Appointment Rescheduled
Just because it was canceled, doesn’t mean that it’s something you should put off. Getting your bi-annual cleaning and checkup is essential for your oral health. Our office may have already reached out to you about getting the appointment rescheduled. If not, call us or use our online scheduling tool so we can get you set up for something in the future!
Keep Up a Home Oral Healthcare Routine
Especially because you’re missing your regular deep cleaning, you want to make sure that you’re keeping up with your oral health at home. But we also understand that it can be difficult when your routine has changed so much. You may be adjusting to working at home or helping your children with online learning. Things like a normal brushing and flossing regime can fall by the wayside.
However, it’s essential to do if you want to prevent problems with tooth decay and gum disease. Set an alarm or reminder on your cell phone to go off in the mornings and evenings. This can ensure that you at least are brushing and flossing twice a day. This also can help remind other members of your household. It doesn’t hurt to brush more often, either. If it helps you remember, brush and floss after every meal.
Watch Your Diet
We know that during this time it may be difficult to keep a completely healthy and balanced diet. Grocery stores may have limited hours and be short on the stock of certain foods. It’s a difficult time and we tend to lean toward comfort foods that may not be as good for us. But there are some easy things you can do regarding your diet to help your oral health.
First, limit your sugar consumption. Sugar is a mortal enemy of your oral health. Harmful bacteria in your mouth use it as their main food source. They then expel an acidic byproduct that eats through the enamel on your teeth. This is what leads to dental cavities and possibly further problems. The more sugar you eat, the more of this byproduct that’s being released into your mouth.
Also, make sure that water is the main beverage you’re drinking. If you’re drinking tap water, it’s most likely fortified with fluoride. This helps to strengthen your tooth enamel. Even if it doesn’t have fluoride, it’s still the best drink to consume. It keeps your mouth hydrated, assisting in rinsing away extra foot particles from between and around your teeth.
Your Dentist in Plantation, Florida
We’ll be here to make sure the stress of this crisis hasn’t impacted your smile. Our office will be reopening on May 11, with precautions to guarantee your safety. Call us or schedule an appointment online for the future. We hope to see your smile in our office soon!