Many people greet a chance to cancel a dentist visit with relief, since sitting in that chair often brings thoughts of discomfort and expense.
Right now you might have a perfectly valid reason to postpone a dental appointment — your dentist’s office could be closed or you might not yet feel safe with close-contact visits.
That doesn’t absolve you from caring for your teeth. This is an ideal moment to improve your at-home oral care so you avoid costly repairs for damaged teeth later when you return to the chair.
You Have Ample Time to Brush and Floss
Sam Emrich, a dentist in North Carolina who operates Emrich Family Dentistry in Raleigh and is a partner at Clayton Dental Center in Clayton, urges people not to slack off on their dental routine right now.
“With ‘social distancing’ the common phrase, you still want to mind your hygiene so people don’t detect bad breath from six feet away,” he said. “All the food trapped between teeth and along the gumline, if not brushed and flossed regularly and properly, could create its own kind of social distancing.”
Dentists, including Emrich, advise flossing in the morning and at night, and brushing after meals for about two minutes each time.
Although that advice seems straightforward, many fail to follow it consistently. Emrich estimates that while 98% of his patients say they plan to practice good habits, roughly 55% actually do them correctly.
Extra Suggestions to Keep Your Teeth Healthy
Emrich shared additional recommendations to help protect your teeth now, so you avoid major dental issues and high bills later on.
1. Emrich suggests flossing before brushing because people are more likely to skip flossing if it’s the last step — but if you floss first, you’re less likely to leave the bathroom without brushing.
2. “An electric or battery-powered toothbrush is a smart purchase any time, and especially useful during periods like this,” Emrich said.
3. A fluoride mouthwash, such as ACT, can provide extra cleansing for teeth and gums. Make it the final step before bed.
4. Waterpiks are a helpful supplemental device, though they do not replace proper flossing.
5. Sticky candies like caramels or Sugar Daddy are notorious for harming teeth, but daily intake of sodas, energy drinks and sports drinks can be equally or more damaging.
6. “All of those beverages not only drain your wallet with empty calories, they’re full of sugar that leads to cavities and possibly costly dental procedures,” Emrich said. “Plus, their acidity gradually wears away tooth structure.”
7. If you do sip a soda or other sugary drink, consume it quickly and then rinse and swish with water right away to reduce the time sugar and acid sit on your teeth.
Contact Your Dentist If You’re Experiencing Pain
Dr. Ron O’Neal, who manages The Family Dentist locations in Tampa and St. Petersburg, Florida, recommends calling your dentist if you are in pain. Because pain is subjective, he noted, deciding when to break social distancing for a dental visit can be difficult.
O’Neal cautions against waiting until pain disrupts your sleep or ability to eat.
“If you’re hurting, call first and most likely come in to have it checked,” he said. “I expect we’ll see many small problems grow into larger ones if people delay care.”
If a procedure, such as a root canal or filling, is not urgent, a dentist may prescribe antibiotics to manage infection until the issue can be fully treated.
If you’re worried about exposure to the novel coronavirus, the American Dental Association has implemented strict protocols for offices treating patients now, including:
- Screening patients and staff with a thermal thermometer.
- Having patients complete an extensive questionnaire that asks about travel, including international trips and cruise ship excursions.
- Staggering appointments so typically only one patient is in the office at a time.
Even prior to the pandemic, dentists and hygienists used Level 3 masks, which provide one level less protection than N95 masks in terms of exposure barriers.
Katherine Snow Smith is a freelance writer and editor in St. Petersburg, Florida, and author of the book Rules for the Southern Rulebreaker: Missteps & Lessons Learned.
