Caring For Your Teeth While You’re Stuck At Home

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By Dr. Zul Paliwalla….

malesmileOral health is just as important as keeping the rest of your body in tiptop condition. Studies have shown that the condition of your teeth and gums can affect not only your physical health but also your emotional and mental well-being. Periodontitis, for instance, is an indicator of diabetes, while missing teeth can lower self-esteem.

There may be reasons why you can’t go for your bi-annual dental checkup. It could be a temporary situation such as a storm or an event that lasts longer such as flooding in your area or a pandemic. Even a lack of funds can prevent you from seeing your dentist.

But not having a dental appointment is not enough reason to ignore your oral health. As long as it is not a dental emergency, you can continue to care for your teeth even while you are at home or stranded in another country. Before we move on to the tips, dentists specializing in myobraces in Dubai explain what constitutes a dental emergency.

Types of dental emergencies

Any pressing oral problem that requires attention and treatment is deemed an emergency. This includes the following situations:

  • A loose or knocked-out tooth due to playing a contact sport, a fall, or physical trauma.
  • Chipped, fractured, or cracked teeth as these can indicate damage inside the teeth.
  • Severe pain or injury inside the mouth around the lips, including lacerations, tears, and puncture wounds.
  • Infections and abscesses inside the mouth should also be treated right away as these can be fatal.

How to care for your teeth

But if your dental situation is considered a non-emergency, here are a few tips on how you can maintain your dental health when you don’t have immediate access to your dentist.

Brush and floss regularly

The habit of brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing afterward is just as relevant now as it was before you were required to stay home. When food goes into your mouth, it can mix with the bacteria inside to form plaque. Plaque forms naturally on the teeth, but when it’s not cleaned or removed, it can turn into a hard layer on your teeth and damage them in the process.

brushteethFor instance, once it calcifies, plaque turns into tartar. Tartar forms on the teeth and can get discolored in the process. Removing the tartar can be costly as only a dental professional can do this for you.

Preventing the development of plaque and tartar can be quickly resolved by brushing and flossing your teeth properly. Both activities are effective in removing food particles stuck in your mouth, particularly in between teeth. Form this simple habit, and you are already on your way to maintaining good dental hygiene and preventing a host of ailments.

Eat a healthy diet

Staying at home with not much to do all day can be bad for your health. Boredom entices you to eat more, while lack of movement can cause you to gain weight. You may even develop bad habits such as smoking or bingeing on food out of boredom, neither of which will benefit your health or life in general.

Sugar-rich and caffeinated food and drinks, alcohol, and cigarettes are especially hard on the teeth. All three can stain your teeth, cause bad breath, and the buildup of plaque and tartar on your teeth. In extreme cases, they can raise your chances of developing chronic diseases like diabetes, heart problems, and certain types of cancer.

Instead, consume an ample amount of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and fish. When it comes to drinks, water and milk are the best options. Water, for one, washes away food particles and cavity-causing bacteria while keeping your saliva production going.

Milk, cheese, and similar dairy products contain calcium, phosphorus — substances that not only can strengthen your bones and teeth but also create a protective layer over them. The same dairy products are also rich in casein, a type of protein that creates a protective layer over your teeth and prevents the development of plaque and tartar from forming.

If you cannot eliminate alcohol or foods and drinks rich in caffeine or sugar from your diet, do your best to control your consumption of these. With cigarettes and tobacco, aim to quit smoking them altogether.

Invest in an electric toothbrush

Electric toothbrushes are not just trendy accessories. The bristles on this dental device oscillate and rotate, making them more effective in removing plaque and tartar than non-electric types. Studies have shown that an oscillating toothbrush can reduce the chances of developing gingivitis by approximately 11 percent more than the traditional toothbrush.

Stay safe and contact dental experts before you rush to the nearest clinic.

AUTHOR BIO

Dr. Zul Paliwalla is the General and Cosmetic British Dentist at NOA Dental Clinic, specializing in smile-related concerns. With over 33 years of experience in the UK, Dr. Zul has successfully worked on and improved many internationally recognized smiles. He is a certified Invisalign® GOLD provider as well and has brought his elite expertise to Dubai not only to enjoy the sun, sea and sand, but also to offer his brand of personalized smile makeovers.