– By Dr. Namrata Rupani, Founder & CEO Capture Life Dental Care.
Nowadays, virtual meetings have become the norm with a huge reduction in face to face interactions. The result of working from home has resulted in later bedtimes. There are occasions when people spend the entire day in their home leisurewear. Such a shift in home comfort has impacted the habit of brushing teeth. Even using dental floss regularly has fallen out of favour because stepping out has reduced by a big margin. Because of the pandemic, many have shifted from one bad habit to another and part of that includes poor dental hygiene. As a result, people are at an increased risk of developing oral complications and exhibit a greater probability of oral health care imbalances.
Certain essential hygiene practices are necessary to follow if one is committed to breaking bad habits developed during the pandemic. Here are some oral hygiene practices to implement and break bad oral hygiene practices:
- Sanitising your toothbrush: The most basic way to sanitise your toothbrush is to run hot water over the bristles before and after each usage. The brush removes germs from the toothbrush that may have collected in the hours between brushings. The toothbrush may be disinfected by rinsing for up to 15 minutes with 0,5% peroxide/antiseptic mouthwash.
- Separating toothbrushes & infections: Everyone has heard how effective social distancing is throughout the pandemic. The toothbrush should also follow the guidelines. If the restroom is shared, each person should keep their toothbrushes separate, especially if anyone family member is infected or ill.
- Replace the toothbrush: The toothbrush, like everything else, has a life cycle. As a result, it may be a good idea to note down when the last toothbrush or toothbrush head was purchased and put it in a diary or calendar. With bulk purchases, one can change their brush every three months. The gums can be harmed if their toothbrush becomes worn, inconsistent, or cracked, or if toothpaste becomes clogged in the bristles. As a result, replacing the brush every three to four months is recommended
- Antiseptic mouthwash: To avoid cavities and other problems, one must use an antiseptic mouthwash to destroy bacteria in their mouth. Water fluoridation is extremely safe and effective for both children and adults. It is also required to prevent tooth decay and other diseases. Brushing your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste is always recommended. It contributes to the health of the teeth and mouth. It also prevents plaque from forming on the teeth.
- Flossing every day: How frequently and when should one floss? Every day, dentists recommend cleaning between teeth with floss or another interdental cleaner. This could aid in the prevention of gum disease and cavities. If you haven’t begun flossing yet, it’s never too late.
- Regular cleaning and rinsing: Since we consume food at regular intervals, it is difficult to completely remove bacteria from the mouth cavity. Keeping the proper balance of oral hygiene in the mouth lowers the risk of bacterial and other forms of illness. This balance is accomplished by the use of antibacterial mouthwashes and the termination of regions of high concentrations of bacteria in the formation of biofilms. Whether in plaques, dangerous crypts, or cavities in the inner teeth
- Resume visits to the Dental Clinic: During the pandemic, there was a drop in dental treatment hours as the availability of dental practices had to adhere to the lockdown restrictions. If regulatory impediments to oral hygiene are removed in the future, this may have a beneficial influence on the general population. With a rise in regular movement and dental visits, there will be visible ease in maintaining good oral hygiene every day.
Excellent oral hygiene is necessary to keep people healthy. Preventing or inhibiting the spread of transmission of infection has long been an important element of dentistry. However, the current situation necessitates more precise, compulsory, and constructive execution of the same. Preventing oral health problems by periodic examinations and dental visits may be one method of decreasing the need for dental surgeries and treatments. Having a greater emphasis on oral hygiene can help break any bad habits formed during the pand