How to Take Care of Your Oral Health While on Self Quarantine

With the pandemic getting closer and closer to home, numerous dental offices have decided to close its operation. Locust Family Dentistry would continue to be available for emergency dental care only, that is if you are experiencing pains, swelling or infections.

To help control the spread of COVID-19, the dental office cannot perform any non-urgent treatment. We encourage everyone to stay at home and observe social distancing.

What Does the ADA Recommend?

The ADA recommends that dental offices nationwide postpone their elective procedures and concentrate only on emergency dental care for the next three weeks in order to mitigate the spread of the disease, COVID-19.

For dental offices that opted to remain open for emergency services, ADA has suggested some steps to help prevent transmission of COVID-19:

• Screen patients for travel history and signs or symptoms of COVID-19 infection.
• Include a temperature checkup as part of the patient’s routine assessment before doing any dental procedure.
• Use personal protective equipment to protect the dentists and their staff from infection.
• Utilize a rubber dam to minimize possible exposure.
• Avoid dental procedures that produce aerosol, or if the procedure is unavoidable, use a high-speed evacuator or suction.
• Make sure to autoclave handpieces after every appointment.
• Provide a 1% hydrogen peroxide solution to every patient, and have your patients’ rinse before any procedure.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and public areas regularly.

Adequate Personal Protective Equipment or PPE should be available to patients with urgent appointments. Disposable face masks should be used once. So, dentists should make sure to discard the patient’s mask after their appointment.

The CDC recommends that dental health care may be postponed for elective dental procedures until after this health crisis has been resolved. Dentists are advised to work with their patients to determine appropriate precautions to ensure everyone’s safety.

How to Take Care of Your Dental Health While Having to Self-Quarantine

Due to COVID-19, people are warned to isolate themselves or to self-quarantine. During this time, people should take care of their physical health, boost their immune system, remain mindful of their mental health, and practice good habits to promote dental health.

This is also the perfect time to educate the kiddos about good dental habits like flossing and brushing their teeth. The truth is that it is uncertain when things would be back to normal and when everyone will have access to all dental services, so parents must ensure that their kids take care of their teeth during this period.

Of course, there is more to proper oral hygiene besides flossing and brushing one’s teeth. Here are some tips on how to take care of your oral health while having to self-quarantine:

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day. Make sure not to forget to brush your tongue to keep your whole mouth clean.
• Floss your teeth at least once every day.
• Use an electric toothbrush.
• Gargle with mouth rinse to kill bacteria and remove plaque.
• Avoid eating and drinking sweet food and beverages. Replace beverages with yogurt and milk.
• Drink plenty of water to wash away acids from your mouth.

Although it is incredibly important to take care of your physical and mental health during these trying times, you should also take care of your oral health while having to self-quarantine. 

Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about our dental services and schedule at this time.