Most of us, at this time, are trying our best to adhere to the Stay at Home Orders that have been put in place in almost every state in the U.S.. We recognize, that while challenging, it is likely the best way to minimize contact with others and to slow down the spread of the virus.
But if you’re anything like me, staying at home for prolonged periods of time means overstocking my fridge, eating things that I might not normally consume and snacking more often, sometimes just to counteract boredom. It then becomes, ever more important to make sure that we are all doing our best to maintain good oral hygiene during these times.
There are a few tips that you can use to keep your teeth in the best shape possible during this time period. If you are snacking and munching throughout the day or eating more sweets and carbohydrates than normal, at least make sure that you are brushing and flossing before bedtime. Use a toothpaste with Fluoride (even natural toothpastes like Tom’s of Maine have Fluoride in them) and after brushing, just spit the excess paste and saliva out instead of rinsing, so that you can prolong the benefits of the paste being in contact with your teeth. Try to consume acidic drinks, like soda and lemonade, with a straw to reduce the possibility of enamel erosion from the acids. If you are tyring to boost your immune system by increasing your intake of Vitamin C and are doing so in the form of gummies, try to rinse or brush afterwards. If using Vitamin C fizzy drink mixes, try consuming these with a straw, as these drinks contain lots of sugar and acid. Those who are sick and taking cough drops, should consider using sugar free drops. Mouth breathers (who can be more prone to dry mouth which can cause cavities) might consider placing a humidifier in the bedroom to keep the mouth as moist as possible during the night.
Hopefully, these tips will keep your mouth in tip top shape while we are all waiting until we can resume our normal activities.
