Dental Health & Oral Care during COVID  

Do you often find yourself wondering about the ill effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on your oral hygiene? Well, well, fret, not anymore because we are here to put all your worries to rest. Continue reading this article to know everything you need to equip yourself to face this Pandemic with a dazzling smile and maintain a healthy oral hygiene.  

Introduction: 

COVID-19 has resulted in the closing of dental practices and a reduction in their hours of operation, except emergency and urgent clinics, reducing routine treatment and prevention. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced the global outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a pandemic, on March 11, 2020. (1). SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) is a virus that has brought the world to a standstill ever since it gripped us in its cold, clammy hands. 

Patients’ priorities for non-emergency dental treatment and other overdue health care programs remain unclear. The full extent of the Pandemic’s financial burden and lack of dental insurance is unknown, but it will significantly impact dental care use. 

We illustrate why oral health care should be a public health priority in the pandemic response in this article and the aspects of dental care that make this challenging to achieve. 

Why do you need to take extra care? 

Keeping your immune system healthy is particularly important during the COVID-19 outbreak, and the health of your oral cavity is a vital part of your immune system. Since the use of the mouth is inevitable for tasks like talking, smiling, chewing, etc., it is of utmost importance to maintain good oral hygiene. 

Why must you use the best quality toothpaste and mouthwash? 

One of the essential factors to consider for good oral hygiene is using the best toothpaste and mouthwash. 

Use fluoride toothpaste:  

There are more critical aspects to search for in toothpaste than whitening strength and flavors. Make sure it contains fluoride, regardless of the version you want.

Although fluoride has come under fire from those concerned about its effects on other parts of the body, it is still an essential oral health component. This is since fluoride is a powerful anti-cavity agent. It works by battling bacteria that cause decay and acting as a buffer between your teeth and the germs that cause it. 

Why must you opt for a betadine mouthwash gargle? 

Bad breath. 
If you are worried about bad breath, using a cosmetic mouthwash on the go during the day may be sufficient for increasing your confidence during that critical afternoon meeting. 

Dry mouth.  
If you’re taking medications or have a condition that produces dry mouth as a side effect, using a mouthwash designed to provide oral comfort for many hours at a time may be your best bet. 

Plaque or gum issues.  
Other conditions, such as plaque buildup, receding gums, and gingivitis, can be addressed by choosing mouthwashes containing fluoride or other active ingredients that fight bacteria. 

Povidone-iodine, used in Betadine Gargle and Mouthwash, destroys a wide variety of germs, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, spores, and simple species. Betadine Gargle and Mouthwash treat acute infections of the mouth and throat lining, such as gingivitis and mouth ulcers. Before, during, and after the procedure to clean the mouth (oral hygiene). 

How often should you ideally change your toothbrush? 

Brushing two or more times a day with a manual toothbrush is now considered normal. Within three months of using your brush at this pace, the bristles will begin to fall out and become mangled or twisted. According to the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC), replace the toothbrush every 3 to 4 months, or if it seems to be worn out, replace it immediately.  When the stiffness of your toothbrush’s bristles begins to deteriorate, it’s almost time to throw it out. Your toothbrush quickly loses its effectiveness without bristles that brush away food and plaque. Toothbrushes aren’t a big investment! Times are tough, it is advised at least for a few months to change your toothbrush, once every 30-45 days

Some helpful tips to beat the COVID blues and maintain excellent oral hygiene:

You are advised to keep your toothbrush away from others not to exchange any harmful bacteria being carried by you or anyone else 
( especially due to everything that’s happening around because of COVID)  
Keep your toothbrush in a clean and dry area; since we all know that germs are more likely to breed in moist areas, keeping your toothbrush dry would prevent you from getting in contact with any and all such nasty germs and viruses. 
Use a cover to protect your toothbrush, and do remember to change the cover along with the toothbrush every 2-3 months or depending on your usage. 
We hope you found this article helpful. We urge you to take extra special care of your oral hygiene and dental health in these unprecedented times of COVID.