During difficult times like these, it's easy to let personal hygiene slide, especially if you can't make it to your normal appointments with the dentist, hair salon, dermatologist, etc.
But it is possible to maintain good oral health while staying at home, says Dr. Rosemary Baghdassarian of H.A.B. Dental in Boca Raton and Boynton Beach.
"Caring for your teeth and oral health can be even more important since we are not going for regular cleanings," she says.
Here are her tips for keeping your pearly whites their whitest until you can visit the dentist again.
- Use an electric toothbrush. "At-home care should include brushing with an electric toothbrush. I personally like the Sonicare Diamond Clean toothbrush. It really makes you feel like you just got your teeth professionally cleaned. You should brush twice a day."
- Don't forget to floss. "Make sure you are flossing every time you brush."
- Try a Waterpik. "Using a Waterpik is also helpful to get out those little pieces of food particles that you may miss with the floss or toothbrush."
- Rinse right. "Rinsing with hydrogen peroxide is recommended after brushing to help break down any virus that may be present."
- Opt for coconut oil. "Another great oral hygiene tool is rinsing with coconut oil first thing in the morning, before you brush. It helps detoxify your mouth and get rid of a lot of the harmful bacteria that may be present. You swish it around for about 10 minutes; then spit out the coconut oil and brush as normal. This is an ancient practice that has been around for hundreds of years."
- Don't ignore oral pain. "The most important advice is that if you are having any dental pain or swelling, do not let it persist; you should see a dentist at once because you do not want the issue to get worse and, more importantly, you do not want to end up in the hospital with a dental emergency. That is why we are open and working to help keep you out of the hospital with your dental emergencies."
For more information on H.A.B. Dental, visit habdentalinc.com.