What Can I Do to Maintain My Smile Until My Dentist’s Office Reopens?

Until statewide restrictions surrounding COVID-19 are lifted and dental offices reopen, patients are being left to maintain their smiles as best as they can since regular checkups and cleanings are not possible at this time. If you are one of the many individuals who do not want to hear that you have multiple cavities during your next dental visit, find out what you can do to keep your teeth and gums in good shape while at home.

Start Using Mouthwash

Mouthwash is often a forgotten step in most people’s oral hygiene routine. By remembering to rinse your mouth with 20 ml of an ADA-approved product, you will notice a significant difference in the way your teeth and gums look and feel. After brushing and flossing, a lot of debris can be left behind to wreak havoc on your smile. Rinsing with mouthwash will effectively remove all the harmful bacteria from your oral cavity, leaving you with a fresh, minty breath.

Use a Tongue Scraper

Bacteria can live on more than just your teeth and gums. It can also grow on your tongue if not cleaned regularly. Investing in a tongue scraper is a great way to remove harmful bacteria and keep your mouth healthy. If you would rather not make an additional purchase, you can always use your toothbrush to clean your tongue while brushing. Just make sure to incorporate it into your normal routine!

Avoid Unnecessary Snacking

Staying at home more often lends itself to frequent visits to the refrigerator and kitchen cabinets. Depending on what you have stocked on the shelves, you could be putting your oral health at risk. Snacking on raw vegetables and fruit is a great option for a healthy body and mouth, but if you opt for cookies, candy, chips, and other carb and sugar-filled snacks, you could end up with multiple cavities by the time you return to your dentist’s office.

Make Sure Your Toothpaste is ADA Approved

Using a toothpaste that has fluoride and is approved by the American Dental Association (ADA) is important to maintaining a healthy smile. Not only does this seal of approval mean that it is safe to use, but it also ensures that the product will be effective at removing harmful bacteria and debris from your mouth.

These are only a few of the important things you can do to improve your oral hygiene routine while at home. If you want to learn more or find out what other tips are great for healthier teeth and gums, call your dentist’s office and speak to a staff member who can help.

About the Author

Dr. Susan Kutis earned her doctorate from the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry in 2006. Recognized as a “Top Dentist” by Denver’s 5280 Magazine, she and the team at Blue Sage Dental want to help all patients maintain a healthy smile during this difficult time. Although most dental offices are closed and only seeing individuals with dental emergencies, they are eager to provide help and advice on ways to take care of your oral health while at home. If you need assistance or recommendations to improve your teeth and gums, please contact us at (303) 973-1112.