Coronavirus and Your Oral Health: Why Should You Pay More Attention?

The emergence of the Coronavirus has forced every individual to stay indoors and adapt to the changing lifestyle. COVID-19 has led to the closure of different non-essential businesses, and there is a complete lockdown in many parts of the world. Some medical experts are even advising people not to visit hospitals unless it’s an emergency, and they need immediate medical care.

Concerned authorities are continuously reminding people of the common symptoms of the COVID19, the importance of social distancing, and the need to wash and sanitize our hands. However, many people have forgotten about the importance of oral health during this global pandemic.

Oral health is crucial to your overall health and well-being, especially during this pandemic. Why? In this blog, you will learn about the importance of maintaining your oral health during this pandemic and how it can save you from many other issues.

Why Should You Take Extra Care of Your Oral Health During COVID?

One of the main reasons to take extra care of your oral health is to limit the risk of catching the virus. You may not know, but oral bacteria or tiny droplets can lead to many issues. Also, you must be extra careful with oral hygiene due to the closure of many dental facilities. Even the dental clinics that are open have placed visitor restrictions.

Therefore, you cannot afford to take any risk or develop serious oral health issues such as an excruciating toothache or swollen gums due to poor oral routine. Many dentists are avoiding making any contact with patients due to social distancing. Hence, to maintain good oral health, you must brush and floss your teeth and use mouthwash. Avoid having hard foods if you have crooked, chipped, or loose teeth; this is especially crucial for older people.

Dental offices have now reopened with many new guidelines from the ADA and CDC. Many offices go beyond these guidelines to ensure the safety of their employees and patients. At Dr. Michael Krochak's NYC Smile Spa practice, no one is allowed to enter before answering a 6-question medical screening and having their temperature taken. Then they are directed to go wash their hands and brought directly into a treatment room, not the reception area. Limited scheduling throughout the office is done to ensure this and maintain social distancing. HEPA filters are used in the A/C system and an open room design with two openings and no doors as well as unusually high ceilings increases the airflow throughout the office. All staff are routinely tested for Covid and temperatures taken daily.

 

Improved Oral Health Reduces the Risk of Corona

If you are wondering how and if oral health plays a vital role in the prevention of Covid-19, the answer is, it does. Many studies have shown that how people with poor oral health have more chances of getting infected by the virus.

A recent study published in the British Dental Journal showed how healthy and improved oral hygiene during the infection of SARS-COV-2 reduces the risk of a bacterial infection. Patients who were infected with COVID had shown high levels of bacteria and inflammatory markers.

 This study proved that poor oral health could lead to severe complications in patients infected with the virus. It showed that poor oral hygiene is a risk when it comes to the symptoms of COVID19, especially for those patients who have chronic health issues like cardiovascular disease or diabetes.

Tips to Take Care of Oral Health during Quarantine

With almost everyone quarantined at home, changes in lifestyles, and poor sleeping patterns, people have become lazy. While they have more time to take care of their health, many tend to go easy with their oral hygiene, which includes daily brushing and flossing.

You may not realize it now, but this laid back attitude slowly puts you at a higher risk of COVID. And unfortunately, if you get infected, you need to immediately take action and be more cautious about your oral hygiene to avoid complications.

Mentioned below are a few dental care tips that will help you maintain your oral health and avoid the risk of developing bacterial infections during the pandemic.

Brush Daily

Make sure to brush your teeth with fluoridated toothpaste twice a day. If you have recently recovered from a disease or sickness, make sure to change your toothbrush. Ideally, you should not use the same toothbrush for more than three months. Using an electric brush will give you faster results and improved oral health.

Regular Flossing

Many people are unaware of the importance of flossing and think brushing the teeth is enough to maintain good oral hygiene. Flossing is as important as brushing because it helps remove all food particles trapped in the gaps of your teeth.

Failure to floss regularly can lead to gum diseases and cavities. Harmful bacteria are the last thing you need in your mouth during a pandemic. You must also use mouthwash after brushing. The best mouth wash to use is Listerine and saltwater.

Eat Healthy Diet

It is easy to turn to comfort foods during this stressful time. However, you must keep an eye on your sugar intake and avoid sticky foods, snacks, and beverages. Remember, coffee, carbonated sodas, hard candies, potatoes, etc. can lead to plaque buildup and tooth staining. It may also activate harmful bacteria in your mouth. So, include healthy foods, fruits, and vegetables in your diet.

Takeaway

If you want to get through this pandemic without getting affected, make sure to follow all the precautions. Also, take extra care of your oral health, as it impacts your overall health.

The Dr. Michael Krochak Pre-Dental Scholarship was developed to encourage young Men & Women to enter the field of Dentistry. The scholarship helps students pursuing careers in dentistry to meet the rising costs of their college tuition. For additional information on the Dr. Michael Krochak Pre-Dental Scholarship, please visit our website.