With the COVID-19 pandemic closing dental offices for everything but emergency dentistry, many people have missed their regular dental checkups and cleanings. So what do you do now that you’ve missed your appointment? Dr. Brian Sang of Palmetto Smiles, a dentist in Florence, SC, offers some tips.
Reschedule that Appointment
Just because that appointment was canceled, doesn’t mean you should just skip it. It’s still crucial to get your regular cleaning and checkup. Our office may have already reached out to get your appointment rescheduled. If not, call us or use our online scheduling tool. Especially after the stress of the pandemic, you’re going to want to get your teeth looked at.
Keep Up Your Oral Healthcare Routine
When our normal routines are disrupted, the little things can sometimes be missed. You’re adjusting to working from home, being laid off, and/or helping children with online learning and staying entertained in isolation. It’s easy for your normal oral care routine and other habits to fall by the wayside.
However, it’s crucial that you keep up with brushing and flossing at least twice a day. Try to get yourself in a new routine if possible. You can brush and floss after every meal if that helps you to remember. It’s also an option to set an alarm or reminder on your phone for mornings and evenings. That way, the whole household can be reminded to brush and floss as well!
Eat a Balanced Diet
It can be hard with food shortages at stores and limited hours to go out and get groceries. However, do the best you can to eat a healthy, balanced diet. For starters, try to avoid eating a lot of sugar. Sugar is one of the worst things for your teeth. Harmful oral bacteria feed off of sugar in your mouth. The byproduct of the bacteria is acidic and eats through the enamel on your teeth. This is what causes tooth decay.
Next, be sure you drink a lot of water. Avoid sugary juices and sodas. If you drink tap water, it’s likely it has the added benefit of fluoride. Fluoride helps strengthen the enamel on your teeth. Water is also helpful in keeping your mouth hydrated and rinsing away sugars and food particles from your smile. It’s the best drink for keeping your mouth healthy.
Lastly, try to eat as many fresh fruits and vegetables as you can. Particularly, focus on those that have a fibrous texture. These include things like apples, pears, celery, and carrots. Due to the texture, they require more chewing to break down. This increases the saliva production in your mouth. Both the increased saliva and texture of the foods assist in getting food particles out from gaps in and around your teeth.
Your Dentist in Florence, South Carolina
We’re here to give you the checkup and cleaning you need when the pandemic is over. Don’t wait to schedule another appointment. Call us or schedule an appointment online for the future. We hope we’ll be seeing you in our office again soon!