5 Oral Care Tips for When You Can’t Get to the Dentist
A few smart choices will keep your teeth and gums in top shape while you practice social distancing.
Normally, experts recommend Canadians receive a dental check-up and cleaning every six months. But under the current circumstances, with social distancing in place and the cancellation or postponement of many non-emergency appointments, it may be some time before you’re back in the dentist chair. There are a lot of things out of our control right now, but maintaining good oral health isn’t one of them.
Think of the extra time you’ve currently got as the perfect opportunity to improve best practices, such as flossing, using mouthwash and brushing more regularly, says Dr. Jason Adinata.
Of course, regular dental check-ups are important, but even more important is being consistent with your personal oral care routine. Here’s how to keep your oral health in check while you stay, play and work at home.
Use a dentist-recommended toothbrush
Oral-B is the #1 dentist-recommended toothbrush brand worldwide, and the most commonly used by dentists themselves. Oral-B Electric Toothbrushes are designed like your dentist’s cleaning tools, with a round brush head and superior cleaning action.
“A power toothbrush like the Oral-B Pro 2000, used by dentists worldwide, can remove 400 percent more plaque along the gumline versus a regular manual toothbrush,” says Dr. Adinata. It’s an efficient and effective brush that cleans almost as good as the one your dentist would use. Bacteria Guard brush head refills allow you to easily customize your toothbrush with the type of bristles and cleaning action you prefer. Plus, the built-in lithium battery keeps your toothbrush charged for up to 12 days.
Brush three times a day
Since many of us are working from home these days, there’s no excuse to miss a post-meal brushing. “While dentists recommend you brush your teeth twice a day, we should now take the time to brush three times a day, after every meal,” says Dr. Adinata. “Try even getting into a habit of rinsing your mouth with water to remove any sticky substances that can create plaque or bacteria build up.”
Take the time
You’re not alone if you’ve lost all concept of time. Luckily, Oral-B Electric Toothbrushes keep time for you. Once you start brushing, a helpful timer buzzes every 30 seconds to let you know when it’s time to switch to the next quadrant of your mouth. You’ll also get an alert once you’ve brushed for the dentist-recommended total time of two minutes. If only it could tell you what day it was, too!
Be gentle with yourself
Now’s not the time to be hard on yourself (so what if you haven’t mastered sourdough or organized every closet!)—and that goes for your gums, too. The 3D cleaning action of an Oral-B Electric Toothbrush oscillates, rotates and pulsates to help remove plaque, so there’s no need to be aggressive with your brushing. It does the work for you! If you do brush too hard, the pressure sensor lights up to warn you that you’re applying too much pressure and helps protect your gums.
Worried about bad breath, plaque, or bleeding gums? Give your gums extra care with a specially formulated toothpaste. Crest Gum Detoxify Deep Clean Toothpaste has an activated foam formula that penetrates hard to reach places to help neutralize harmful plaque bacteria below the gum line. It’s clinically proven to help reverse gingivitis, which can lead to more serious gum disease if left untreated.
Ask for help
If you have a question or any concerns about your oral health, don’t put it off. “While Canadians may not have access to their dentist, many dentists are still welcoming patients to reach out via phone or email to get the support they need,” says Dr. Adinata. After all, good oral health can help ensure good general health.
Visit oralb.ca to learn more and find the right power toothbrush for you.
