Due to COVID-19, many dental practices were closed to everything but emergency dental services. Now, offices are slowly opening up for services that aren’t considered emergencies. But what if you had an appointment that was scheduled over the time the office was closed? Dr. Ben Ahlbrecht of North Meridian Dental Excellence, a dentist in Indianapolis, IN, offers some tips.
Get Your Appointment Rescheduled
Just because it isn’t considered a dental emergency doesn’t mean that you should skip your appointment this round. Invisalign treatment is still essential for both your oral health and self-confidence. We may have already reached out to you to get your appointment rescheduled. If not, call us or use our online scheduling tool. We’re ready to help you take care of your smile!
Keep Up a Home Oral Healthcare Routine
Especially if you’re missing dental appointments, it’s crucial that you’re taking care of your oral health at home. During trying times, it can be hard to make sure you’re keeping up with everything. Things you may see as small may fall by the wayside. However, to avoid problems with tooth decay and gum disease, it’s important to brush and floss twice a day.
Try setting an alarm or reminder on your phone for mornings and evenings. This will make sure you’re at least getting your two a day in. It can also help remind other members of your household. It doesn’t hurt if you brush and floss more often, either. If it helps you to remember better, brush and floss after every meal. This gets food particles out of and away from your smile as soon as possible.
Watch What You’re Consuming
Your diet can have more of an impact on your oral health than you realize. During the pandemic, it’s been difficult to get all of the foods you may normally eat. Grocery stores have had limited hours and are having trouble keeping the shelves fully stocked. But there are some simple things that you can do with your diet that’ll benefit your oral health.
First, avoid consuming a lot of sugar, whether in snacks or drinks. Sugar is one of the worst things for your smile. Harmful oral bacteria consume it as their main food source, emitting an acidic byproduct. This byproduct eats through the enamel on your teeth. This is what causes tooth decay, and can lead to tooth extraction if left untreated. The more sugar you consume, the more this byproduct is released in your mouth.
Also, make water the primary thing you drink. It doesn’t contain any hidden sugars or additives like other beverages might. If you’re drinking tap water, it’s most likely fortified with fluoride to help strengthen your tooth enamel. Even if it isn’t fortified, water is still the best at keeping your mouth hydrated. It helps rinse sugars and food particles away from your smile.
Your Dentist in Indianapolis, Indiana
We’re ready to see our patients’ smiles back in our office. If you need an appointment, call us or schedule one online!