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Under normal circumstances, your oral hygiene habits have a big impact on the health of your teeth and gums. Unfortunately, since the COVID-19 crisis began it’s been even more difficult to maintain good habits, and many people are struggling to keep up with brushing, flossing and healthy eating. On top of that, no one wants to see an emergency dentist in Medford for unexpected dental work, especially now. If you can relate, this blog is for you! Keep reading to learn about 3 bad habits to avoid to keep your smile as healthy as possible right now.
1. Nervous Habits Like Chewing On Fingernails, Ice, and Pens
If you’re one of the many people who had “nervous habits” prior to COVID-19, chances are that they’re even harder to break now. Unfortunately, however, chewing on ice, popcorn kernels, fingernails, or pens increases the risk of chipping a tooth or existing dental work. To prevent those problems, chew sugar-free gum or snack on crunchy vegetables like celery or carrots instead.
2. Letting Your Oral Hygiene Routine Go
Keeping your teeth and gums clean is crucial for preventing painful dental emergencies like toothaches. But without the routine of school or work, many people are having a hard time brushing twice a day and flossing once. With that said, the more flexible you can be at this time, the less likely you are to throw in the towel altogether.
Experiment to find what works for you. That could be flossing right after lunch or dinner instead of waiting until bedtime. Or you may find that flossing every day is unrealistic and that aiming for 3 to 5 days per week is more achievable. If so, keep in mind that brushing and flossing some of the time is better than not doing it at all.
3. Snacking on Sweets All Day
With people self-isolating right now, their kitchen is constantly accessible. And since eating is a common way to relieve stress or boredom, it’s easy to see why people are snacking more than ever – especially on sugary foods and beverages like soda, juice, candy, cookies, etc.
However, changing what you snack on is an easy way to “get your fix” without increasing your risk for cavities. Here are some examples of low or no-sugar snacks that don’t cause tooth decay:
- Nuts
- Cheese
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Veggies with spinach dip, guacamole, or salsa
- Cottage cheese
- Lunchmeat
- Plain, sugar-free yogurt with fresh fruit (minimize dried fruit because it’s high in sugar and also sticks to the teeth)
No one wants to deal with cavities, gum disease, and other dental problems, particularly during COVID-19. By avoiding these 3 habits, you’ll have a better shot at getting though this time with a healthy smile intact.
About the Author
Dr. Yumee Yang is a general and emergency dentist in Medford and former Chief Resident at Stony Brook University Hospital. She knows that everyday habits have a huge impact on her patients’ oral health, especially during COVID-19. She’s always available to provide advice over the phone and is also open for emergency care at this time. If you’re having a dental emergency or have any questions, she can be reached via her website.