Ways to Improve Your Oral Hygiene Routine While at Home

COVID-19, also known as coronavirus, is causing people to change the way they live, work, and function. While it may be altering much of your daily life, the question remains, “Are you still rushing through your morning and nighttime oral hygiene routine even though you’re at home more?” If the answer is “yes,” listen to a dentist in Rochester explain why now, when the world is being told to stay at home, is the best time to reevaluate your dental habits and maintain a healthy, beautiful smile. Practicing great oral hygiene now will help you avoid most dental issues during quarantine, which is great since the majority of dentists are largely closed.

Brush Your Teeth After Every Meal, Not Just Twice a Day

Okay, so you know it’s important to brush in the morning and at night before you go to bed, but why not take the extra step and remove bacteria and food particles after every meal? By choosing to clean your teeth after eating, you are preventing any sugar, starch, or other food contents to remain on your teeth for an extended period of time, thus, reducing your chances of developing tooth decay or gum disease.

Make Sure You’re Using Mouthwash

You wouldn’t just put away a dirty dish because you used a scrubber to remove stuck-on food, would you? You’d rinse it off with water before drying! Even if you brush and floss, rinsing is still important. The first two steps help to remove harmful bacteria and food particles, but it is using an ADA-approved mouthwash that flushes everything out that brushing and flossing left behind.

Work to Improve Your Eating Habits

The foods you eat can have a big impact on your oral health, which is why it’s important you choose the right items. Although you’re stuck at home, you may be tempted to snack throughout the day on unhealthy foods, but the best thing you can do is opt for healthier alternatives like fruits, vegetables, lean meats, leafy greens, and dairy. These will better prevent cavities from forming on your teeth and your gum disease from attacking your soft oral tissues.

Drink Lots of Water

You may be staring at a few bottles of soda and that tempting bag of aroma-pleasing coffee, but if you want to stop many oral health issues before they start, choose water instead. This hydrating beverage will keep you feeling energized and healthy throughout the day (even if you’re like many others and are currently unsure what day it is). Water not only flushes out toxins, but it also contains fluoride, which is great for strengthening tooth enamel and protecting teeth from decay. It also encourages your salivary glands to increase production and ultimately wipe out bad bacteria and food particles, so they do not remain in your mouth.

These are only a few examples of how you can improve your oral habits at home during this time. Although most dental offices are currently closed and only seeing patients with dental emergencies, don’t be afraid to call and speak to a team member who can offer assistance in helping you keep your smile in great shape.

About the Author
Dr. Joseph Vollo is a dentist near Greece who earned his DDS degree at SUNY Buffalo before completing a post-doctoral Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency at the Western New York Veterans Hospital. He and his colleague (and wife), Dr. Katherine Vollo, strive to offer patients the care they need to achieve healthy smiles as well as information to better protect their teeth and gums while at home. If you have questions about your family’s oral hygiene, or if you need help with a dental emergency, contact us via our website or call (585) 225-9114.