The importance of maintaining oral health during a pandemic

Health problems can come at any time. This has become even more severe because of the situation and conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic that is currently hitting. For more details, here are some reasons why it is important to maintain healthy teeth and mouth in this day and age.

What will be faced when oral health is compromised during a pandemic?

The COVID-19 pandemic, which is still continuing, is another reason why you must always maintain your health and dental hygiene regularly.

Limited health facilities

Health facilities, including clinics, hospitals, and health centers, limit each visit of patients who want treatment, including clinics that deal with problems with teeth and mouth.

According to the American Dental Association, some clinics can accept patient visits who are in an emergency and continue with health procedures such as:

• You most likely need to make a schedule first and then the clinic will confirm your health condition.
• You still need to take virus prevention efforts such as wearing a mask, gloves, and keeping your distance.
• Clinics or health facilities in general provide hand sanitizer , take advantage of this whenever you come in contact with surfaces that people often touch.

Troubleshoot your own teeth at home

According to a journal published in April 2020, the need for dental care has only decreased by 38 percent. This indicates that people still really need the help of dentists even in the midst of this pandemic.

On the other hand, because clinics and dentists cannot operate normally, it is not uncommon for the queues to accumulate and cause you to temporarily face problems with your teeth and mouth.

If you experience this, the treatment steps that can be done are to routinely maintain dental health in a good and correct way.

Tips for maintaining healthy teeth and mouth during a pandemic

To avoid problems with teeth and mouth, keeping it clean is a must. With healthy teeth and mouth, you don't need to go to the doctor so you can avoid the risk of being exposed to the COVID-19 virus.

Here are some tips that you should take in an effort to maintain oral health during a pandemic:

Brush your teeth regularly with the right technique

Based on a circular published by the Indonesian Ministry of Health in 2018, it is recommended that you brush your teeth twice a day, namely after breakfast and before going to bed at night.

In terms of choosing a toothbrush, there are several types, namely those with bristles soft, medium, or hard. Choose one that suits your brushing strength and the condition of your own teeth.

However, you are advised to avoid the bristles hard or hard because it can have an impact on damage to the gums, roots, and protective layer of the teeth (enamel), especially if brushing too tightly.

Choose a toothpaste that contains fluoride

There is no particular brand that is specifically recommended for you. However, make sure to read every content contained in it and it is recommended that it contains fluoride.

Fluoride can be useful for protecting teeth to help prevent caries and tooth decay.

Complete the habit of cleaning teeth with

Mouthwash or mouthwash is usually used after you finish brushing your teeth in order to maintain optimal dental health. This is because the function of mouthwash / mouthwash is to clean internal areas that are not covered by toothbrushes. choose mouthwash or mouthwash containing 4 essential oil to help reduce 99.9% of germs that cause oral problems.

In addition, mouthwash can also be used to help neutralize acids in the mouth and can also help strengthen the structure of the teeth.

You can also use dental floss (flossing) to help clean the food left between the teeth.

Combination of mouthwash and flossing it can also help prevent you from experiencing bad breath.

Reduce and avoid sugar and acid intake

Foods and drinks that are high in sugar and acid such as candy, carbonated drinks, and soda can easily increase the acid in the mouth. Therefore, eat less of this type of food.

Keeping your distance from other people is a precaution against the spread of the coronavirus. Therefore, maintain cleanliness and health so that you do not require visits to clinics or hospitals that are usually crowded with many people.