If you aren’t able to see your dentist in Redmond due to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak you may be wondering what steps you can take to keep your smile healthy and strong until you can get routine dental care. In this blog from Redmond Art of Dentistry, our team will take a look at a few simple steps you should follow for a healthier mouth.
1. BRUSH AT LEAST TWICE A DAY FOR TWO MINUTES
Firstly and most importantly, you need to make sure you’re brushing your teeth twice per day for two minutes each time. Brush each quadrant of your mouth for 30 seconds, and make sure you thoroughly clean the tops, backs, and fronts of your teeth. It’s best to brush once after breakfast and once after your last meal of the day or before bed.
If you want, you can even start brushing three times a day. Brush once after breakfast, again after lunch, and a third time before bed to maximize the effectiveness of your oral hygiene routine.
2. FLOSS ONCE A DAY & FOLLOW-UP WITH ANTISEPTIC MOUTHWASH
Brushing alone cleans about 60% of the surfaces of your teeth. A toothbrush simply can’t reach into the small crevices and cracks between your teeth and remove bacteria and food particles, which is why you need to floss at least once a day.
You can floss whenever you like, as long as you remain consistent and floss once daily. For the best results, you can rinse with an antiseptic mouthwash afterward. This will help rinse away particles loosened by flossing, kill bacteria, and freshen your breath.
3. EAT HEALTHY FOODS
Avoid unhealthy, overly-processed foods like cookies, candy, potato chips, and other foods very high in sugar and simple starches. They are perfect food for bacteria, which feed primarily on sugar and other carbohydrates.
As a rule, foods that are good for your body are good for your teeth, too. So stick to fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, low-fat dairy products, and other such staples that are good for your body and for your smile.
4. DON’T DRINK SUGARY BEVERAGES
Cut back or eliminate your consumption of sugary soda and cocktails, and try to reduce the amount of sugar you drink in your morning coffee or tea. Drinking these beverages regularly throughout the day creates the perfect environment for tooth decay.
5. AVOID FREQUENT SNACKING
This may be harder if you’re stuck at home due to COVID-19, but you should only have one or two snacks per day, along with 3 full-sized meals. Frequent “grazing” on snack foods is bad for your teeth, because food particles will build up faster than your saliva can wash them away.
FOLLOW THESE TIPS FOR A HEALTHIER SMILE IN REDMOND DURING THE COVID-19 OUTBREAK
The COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak may have interfered with your ability to get preventive dental care in Redmond, but these simple tips will help you keep your smile healthy. Need to see a dentist in Redmond? Contact Redmond Art of Dentistry online or at (425) 386-7599 to get the latest status updates and find out when Dr. Daniel Bickel is accepting patients for routine care.