4 Ways to Improve Oral Hygiene Habits While in Quarantine

Want to avoid cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease while staying at home because of COVID-19? While you may be unable to see your dentist for a regular dental checkup and cleaning, there are ways of keeping up with dental hygiene during quarantine. Since you are spending more time at home right now, why not consider incorporating these four steps into your oral hygiene routine so that you and your smile can come out on top the next time you visit your local dentist in Marysville.

Learn How to Brush Correctly

Whether you use a vigorous, hard motion, or you pay very little attention to how long you clean your teeth, there is a right and wrong way to brush your pearly whites. Want to do a more effective job and avoid further damaging your teeth? Consider the follow steps:

• Set a timer for two minutes. This is how long you should be brushing your teeth to properly remove debris and bad bacteria.
• Be gentle. Brushing too hard can damage your teeth and gums. Remember, all you need is a gentle motion when moving the brush back and forth.
• Use fluoride toothpaste. This will not only protect your teeth against tooth decay, but it will also strengthen enamel.
• Reach all areas. Do not forget about the backside of your teeth and along the gum line when brushing. These are easily forgotten areas and can house a lot of harmful bacteria.

Make Sure to Floss Before Calling It a Night

Wonder why flossing before bed is better than doing it in the morning? The reason is that throughout the day, food, debris, and bacteria collect between your teeth. Should you floss in the morning, you are allowing a full 24 hours to go by before you remove anything harmful to your teeth and gums. By flossing before bed, you are ensuring your mouth is free from these decay and disease-causing objects. Depending on how much sleep you get, several hours will go by without dangerous bacteria accumulating on your teeth, which gives you a greater advantage and chance to maintain a healthier smile.

Hydrate Often

You may be tempted to crack open a bottle of soda or chug several cups of coffee during this time, but if you want to ensure your body and smile remain healthy, start drinking more water. Not only does it keep you hydrated by flushing out harmful toxins, but it encourages your salivary glands to work at an optimal level. This will work to remove food and bacteria from your mouth and keep it from adhering to your chewing surfaces and burrowing into your tooth enamel to cause cavities.

Call to See Your Dentist Ahead of Time

Do not wait until the last minute to schedule your next dentist’s appointment. Although it may be later than you prefer, many dentists do not know when they will be able to reopen; however, once they do, people will start calling to schedule their elective procedures and regular cleanings. This could cause you to have to wait much longer than if you scheduled ahead of time. Being proactive and getting on their list now will benefit you in the long run.

Your oral health does not have to suffer while at home. Take the necessary steps to improve your teeth and gums and get ready for a great report when you go in for your next cleaning and checkup!