In March, dentists across the country postponed all elective procedures, like checkups and cleanings, and are only offering emergency dental care. Until your dentist in Big Pine Key opens their doors again, it’s up to you to take great care of your mouth to make sure that oral health problems don’t develop while you’re self-isolating. Read on for four tips to help reduce your risk of developing a cavity or infection during quarantine.
Don’t Brush With Too Much Force
Although it may seem like the harder you brush your teeth, the more plaque and food debris that will be removed from your mouth, that’s not necessarily true. Aggressive and forceful brushing can lead to enamel erosion and even gum recession, which could put you at risk for developing an infection by exposing the roots of your teeth. It only takes a slight amount of pressure to remove plaque, so be sure to brush gently to keep your pearly whites and gums healthy and intact.
Choose a Toothbrush That’s Gentle But Effective
Just like brushing with too much force, using a hard-bristled toothbrush can cause damage to your smile instead of helping it. That’s why it’s important to choose one with soft or medium bristles that can gently but effectively get rid of plaque and food debris. If you have gum disease or sensitive teeth, you may want to look at toothbrushes that have silicone bristles that won’t cause you discomfort.
Make Sure to Brush Properly
Brushing your teeth properly involves making sure that each quadrant of your mouth receives attention. Start off by placing a pea-sized dab of toothpaste on your brush. Although it seems like a small amount, toothpaste goes a long way! Put your brush at a 45-degree angle to your gums and make short, back-and-forth strokes to scrub the surface of each of your teeth. To reach your back upper teeth, place your toothbrush at a 90-degree angle. Don’t forget to spend time on your back molars, because plaque often accumulates the most in this area.
Don’t Forget to Floss
If you regularly forget to floss, you’re in the same boat as pretty much everybody. Although this seems like an easy task to brush-off, especially if you’re brushing your teeth, flossing is an incredibly important part of your oral hygiene routine. Without enough time dedicated to this, you could form cavities between your teeth and all types of additional oral health problems. When you floss, you’re cleaning about 30 percent of the surface of each of your teeth that commonly sees plaque accumulation. You can’t get these areas with a regular toothbrush, which is why it’s vital to do this at least once each day.
As long as you follow these four oral health tips listed above and stick to your regular dental hygiene routine while you’re self-isolating, your mouth should stay in tip-top shape until you’re able to see your nearest dentist. Once you get your clean bill of health from your checkup and cleaning, you’ll be able to rest easier again!
About the Author
Dr. Amanda Cobb graduated as one of the top 10 in her class and received awards from the Florida Association of Periodontists as well as the Florida Dental Health Foundation. She is passionate about staying up-to-date with the latest advancements in her field so she can provide her patients with the highest quality of dental care. She is also an active member of several professional organizations, including the American Dental Association. For questions or to schedule a checkup and cleaning, visit Cosmetic & Restorative Dentistry of the Keys’ website or call 305-872-4272.