Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, things have changed rapidly over the last couple of months. Dental offices had to be closed to everything but emergency services. Now, things are finally able to start opening back up. But what happens if you had an appointment scheduled over the time when things were closed? Dr. Brenda Paulen of Proud Smiles, a dentist in Sandy Springs, GA, offers some tips.
Make Sure the Appointment is Rescheduled
You don’t want to use this as an excuse to just skip your appointment. Just because it isn’t an immediate dental emergency doesn’t mean that it isn’t important. Regular dental cleanings are essential to your oral health. We may have already reached out to you about getting a new appointment set up. If not, call us or use our online scheduling tool to make sure you’re set!
Keep Up With a Home Oral Health Routine
Especially if you missed a cleaning, you want to make sure that you’re keeping your mouth as healthy as possible until your rescheduled appointment. We know it may have been difficult considering all of the changes we’ve had to our normal routines. You tend to forget the little things. But it’s crucial to make sure you’re brushing and flossing at least twice a day.
Try setting an alarm on your phone for mornings and evenings to make sure you’re doing proper oral care at least twice a day. This can help remind the others in your household as well. It doesn’t hurt anything if you’re brushing more often, either. If it helps make it easier to remember, brush your teeth after every meal. This also ensures you’re getting food particles out from between your teeth ASAP.
Watch What You’re Consuming
Your diet may have more of an impact on your oral health than you realize. It’s also been a bit harder to eat healthy during these times. Grocery stores have had limited hours and are struggling to keep certain foods on shelves. You may not be able to get everything that you normally eat. However, there are some easy ways to help your oral health through your diet.
First, avoid consuming a lot of sugar. Sugar is one of the worst things you can eat for your teeth. Harmful oral bacteria use sugar as their main food source and emit an acidic byproduct. This byproduct then eats through the enamel on your teeth, causing problems with dental cavities and further tooth decay. The more sugar you’re consuming, the more that byproduct is being released into your mouth.
Also, make sure you’re drinking water as your primary beverage. It doesn’t contain hidden sugars or additives that other drinks may have. If you’re drinking tap water, there’s a good chance it’s fortified with fluoride to strengthen your dental enamel. Even if it isn’t tap water, it’s still the best thing for keeping your mouth hydrated. This rinses sugars and food particles away from your smile.
Your Dentist in Sandy Springs, Georgia
After these restrictions, we’re ready to see the beautiful smiles of all of our patients. If you missed your dental appointment, or think you need to schedule one, call us or request an appointment online!