Do Not Forget About Your Dental Health During the Covid-19 Pandemic.
Do Not Forget About Your Dental Health During the Covid-19 Pandemic.
Your Dental Health is Important to Your Overall Health
The Covid-19 pandemic has completely changed the way we interact with others and how we conduct our daily lives. It has given us a lot of change and additional stress to an already chaotic world. Even with the disruptions, you and your family cannot forget about your health, especially your dental health. Remember, Summerfield Family Dentistry is here to answer your questions. (336)643-1440
Recently, we have been asked, “are there things that we should be doing or can look for?” The short answer is yes.
Family Dental Care at Home
Dental offices are re-opening with many precautions. However, we still need to do a little extra for the protection of our dental health while the pandemic is still occurring. It is more important than ever to keep up with your dental home care. Our team has put together some tips:
- Wash your hands – the objective is to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds before and after any personal dental care
- Brush at least twice a day– still important and do not forget the hard-to-reach spots
- Floss once a day – often forgotten, flossing helps remove bacteria and plaque in places your brush cannot reach
- Eat a well-balanced diet – limit sticky, sugary snacks like cookies and cake
- Do not increase your snacking frequency – increased snacking increases the risk of cavities
- Regulate your sugary drink intact – soda and fruit juices can harm tooth surfaces
- Drink plenty of water – we cannot stress enough the importance of drinking water with and between meals
- Avoid smoking – Smoking limits blood flow to your mouth, making it easier for bacteria to grow
Emergency Dental Care
Let us start by saying the most important thing, please do not visit an urgent care clinic or an emergency room for your dental care needs. Contact Summerfield Family Dentistry for guidance. (336)643-1440
Your Summerfield Family Dentist can handle many emergencies over the phone, such as helping with a toothache or a filling or crown that has become loose. Additionally, the American Dental Association has also created several resources for patients and dentists to follow. The important thing is to be safe and smart. We are here to help like before and can still make appropriate arrangements if you need care.
General Guidelines for Dental Issues During a Pandemic
During the Covid-19 pandemic, there are some general guidelines we recommend for problems that arise. If you cannot get to Summerfield Family Dentistry, you can temporarily solve a variety of dental problems with items from your medicine cabinet or pharmacy.
- Dental pain – the important thing is whether there is swelling and if the pain continues. Follow all instructions accompanying any medicine.
- Pain without swelling – common over-the-counter (OTC) pain medicines can help, including a combination of Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen. Contact your Summerfield Family dentist for an appropriate dosage and if the pain continues.
- Swelling with pain – use an OTC pain medicine, additionally, you should rinse your mouth with warm saltwater for short-term relief. Please consult your Summerfield Family dentist for further guidance.
- Fractured tooth, lost filling, lost crown, or bridge – Contact us immediately for guidance.
- Broken or ill-fitting dentures – You can search your pharmacy for “denture repair kits” or “denture reline kits.”
- Trauma – Physical injury to your mouth requires quick contact with your Summerfield Family dentist for guidance. Your dentist will evaluate your situation and recommend the next steps.
- Gum, cheek, tongue, and lip pain – Common OTC medicated gels, such as Orajel, however, for children Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen can help. There are also children’s oral gels that can offer relief. Contact your Summerfield dentist or pediatric dentist for help.
If you are in doubt for any reason, contact your Summerfield dentist for help.
Visit Summerfield Family Dentistry online if you need help with your dental care needs.