We don’t have any such information that links oral hygiene to COVID 19, but still taking care of oral hygiene in the time of COVID 19 is very important. In this post, we will answer you why it is so and why you should do that. But before we jump into that part, let’s talk about COVID 19.
COVID 19
It is no secret that COVID 19 is an infectious disease. It transmits through the droplets generated by an infected person’s cough, sneeze, and exhale. It also transmits from touching the contaminated surfaces and objects. It is a lethal pandemic that can affect anyone across the globe.
Presently (16-11-2020), according to the global statistics of COVID 19, more than 54.4 million cases are there across the world. And this number is continuously increasing with a big margin.
Due to this pandemic, we all are going through a lot of changes. We are now more cautious about our health. We regularly sanitize our hands, wear face masks, and keep in distance from other persons. Doing these things routinely is good for protecting ourselves from getting infected from COVID 19. However, doing only these things is not enough. Oral care is equally important. And why it is important, let’s see in the next segment.
Why Oral Care Is Important During COVID 19?
Actually, whether it is COVID 19 period or normal life, oral care is always important for better oral health. However, it is much more important during COVID 19 period than normal life. And the reasons are:
Most dental clinics in the badly affected areas in the United States are closed. They are not providing their regular dental care services. Yes, they are available for consultation on different online platforms, but the only consultation cannot treat all the dental problems, especially dental emergency cases. So, keeping yourself on the safe side by taking care of your oral health is important. However, in a case, if you meet a dental emergency, don’t hesitate to talk to emergency dentists in McKinney because dental emergencies need instant treatment. You can’t wait even for a few minutes.
Poor oral care invites different oral diseases to occur. And if they occur, they can create problems for both you and all whom you meet regularly. The spit, the handkerchief you use, and your impure hands can be a carrier for COVID 19. And they can infect those persons whom you meet regularly. So, taking care of oral hygiene is important.
Again, poor dental care invites many different dental problems such as tooth pain, gum bleeding, infection, tooth worms, etc. If these dental problems get too serious, you will have to visit a dentist for a quick check-up or taking treatment. This poses some risks of COVID 19 transmission as you will have to travel to meet your concerned dentist. And you don't know how many COVID-19-infected people will come across you. They can infect you. So, keep on the safe side by taking care of your oral health.
Oral Care Tips- Effective During COVID-19
We conducted comprehensive research and studied the different dentists’ opinions to collect some useful and effective oral care tips that are especially effective during the COVID-19 period. Here are those oral care tips:
Wash Your Hands for At Least 20 Seconds- Before and after taking any personal dental care, make sure you properly wash your hands. Use your hands with a clinically approved hand wash for at least 20 seconds. This is ideal to stop bacterias and viruses from entering your mouth.
Brush Your Teeth Twice A Day- Every dentist advises brushing teeth at least twice a day. It is so because one-time brushing can not nicely clean your teeth. We eat three times a day and so the small food particles remain in our mouth the whole day. Removing those particles before we go to bed at night is very important because those food particles can give birth to bacterias and infections. And those bacterias and infections can cause different dental diseases. So, remove those food particles from your mouth by brushing your teeth before going to bed and after waking up from the bed.
Keep Your Brush Clean- Bacterias, mold, and pollutants can stay on the bristles of toothbrushes. Those bacterias, mold, and pollutants can reach your mouth with your toothbrush. And you better know that those are very harmful to your oral health. So, it is very important to keep your toothbrush clean and protected from bacterias, mold, and pollutants.
To keep your toothbrush clean, you can use antibacterial hygiene toothbrush caps or toothbrush holders, whichever you prefer. These two are protective gear for toothbrushes. You can also use electric toothbrushes if you prefer. They are a great choice for gaining good oral health.
Rinse Your Mouth With Non-Alcoholic Mouthwash- Rinsing your mouth with a non-alcoholic mouthwash multiple times a day is a great option to prevent plaque build-up and gingivitis. So, make sure you properly rinse your mouth with mouthwash after eating and drinking anything.
Focus on Your Diets- The way diets matter for your physical health, the same way diets matter for your oral health. So, take a well-balanced diet. Avoid eating too sugary items, snacks, junk foods, and acidic and alcohol-based drinks. These edibles and drinks can affect both your physical and oral health.
Floss Between Your Teeth At Least Once a Day- Brushing is not enough to remove the food particles stuck between your teeth. To remove those food particles, flossing is important. So, floss between your teeth at least once a day. It will prevent tooth decay, tooth worms, and infections.