To slow the spread of COVID-19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourage society to practice social distancing. Following suit with these recommendations, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued a statewide stay-at-home executive order that will last until at least April 30th, 2020. Many of us now find ourselves at home under quarantine—including your dentist. Unfortunately, this means that all non-emergency dental care needs to be postponed until these strange times have passed. Here are six tips from your Orlando Dentist that will help keep your smile healthy throughout quarantine.
1.) KEEP UP YOUR DENTAL ROUTINES
It’s likely that your daily schedule has been turned upside-down by the current pandemic. Experts highly recommend keeping up regular routines to retain a sense of normalcy. Continuing to brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes is a great way to care for your smile and help keep your mind at ease.
2.) DON’T SLACK OFF ON FLOSSING
Now that you’re spending most of your time inside your home, you may find that you’re waking up and going to sleep at unusual times. If you’re tired during your dental routine, it may be tempting to skip flossing, but the last thing you need is to leave quarantine and find out you have gum disease!
3.) KEEP YOUR TONGUE CLEAN
Another easy habit that may be easy to forget or forgo is cleaning your tongue. However, the people you’re indoors with will certainly notice your resulting bad breath.
4.) USE THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF TOOTHPASTE
It’s important to limit trips to the store during social distancing, so you should try to conserve what you have. Many of us use too much toothpaste. Adults only need a pea-sized drop to clean their teeth thoroughly.
5.) DON’T EAT TOO MUCH SUGAR
Remember, dental offices can only take emergency appointments during quarantine, so it’s up to you to prevent cavities before they cause you any damage or discomfort. Resist stress-eating, mindlessly grazing, and snacking on sugary treats to stop tooth decay.
6.) MAKE QUARANTINE A TEACHABLE TIME
Social distancing with your family is the perfect time to teach your children about the importance of great oral health and how to take care of their smiles. You can show them how to floss properly, explain how cavities work, and go over their dental routines. Establishing healthy habits during quarantine is something they can benefit from for the rest of their lives.
Many aspects of your daily life may be changing because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but your oral health shouldn’t be one of them! Keep your smile healthy during and after quarantine with these six easy tips.
ABOUT THE PRACTICE
At Sand Lake Family Dental in Orlando, FL, you and your family’s health is our top priority. In accordance with Governor Ron DeSantis’ executive order, our office will be closed until May 8th, 2020 at the earliest. We will still be addressing dental emergencies, so please call us for an appointment if you are experiencing severe pain, swelling, or signs of infection. In the meantime, please wash your hands, practice social distancing, and stay safe. Dr. Ziyad Maali and our talented team will be happy to welcome you back after the quarantine. To contact us, please visit our Website or call (407) 255-2391.
