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Caring for Your Teeth During the COVID-19 Quarantine
Since the majority of dental practices are only open for emergency appointments, many of us have missed our scheduled routine dental cleanings.
It’s important to step up your oral hygiene routine during a time when you can’t visit your dentist.
Here are a few tips for fighting plaque buildup and keeping your teeth healthy during the COVID-19 quarantine.
Flossing is Extra Important
Plaque that forms soon after you eat is soft and pliable, and typically easy to remove, whereas plaque that sits on the teeth for a long time can become dangerous to your oral health. Not only does it travel up under the gum line and deep between the teeth, it also begins to harden into a substance known as calculus (tartar).
Tartar is notoriously difficult to remove. In fact, only a dental professional using special tools can adequately rid the teeth and gums of tartar buildup.
The dangers of tartar are well-known, including tooth decay, gum disease, abscesses, and tooth loss. Tartar can also cause aesthetic issues with the teeth, including staining, red, swollen gums and bad breath.
It’s important to floss at least once a day
to get rid of any plaque that has built up between the teeth or below the gumline. This slows or even prevents the formation of tartar.
Drink Extra Water--Especially After Meals
Water helps wash off food particles after you’ve eaten. It also helps neutralize the acids that begin to form as soon as your saliva mixes with the sugars in food.
Water intake is also important for gum health and saliva production. Adequate water intake helps you produce enough saliva to keep your mouth lubricated and to ward off excess growth of bacteria.
Consider Investing in an Electric Toothbrush
Brushing your teeth with an electric toothbrush that rotates and oscillates may help fight plaque and tartar buildup even more than a traditional toothbrush.
Electric toothbrushes have been found to remove 21 percent more plaque
and reduce gingivitis by 11 percent more than non-electric toothbrushes.
An electric toothbrush, regular flossing and upping your water intake can help you fight tartar buildup and take care of your gums during the COVID-19 quarantine.
Have more questions about dental health and oral hygiene? Check Gateway Family Dentistry’s blog
for more articles and information!
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