All across the world people are still struggling with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many areas are still under lockdown, or have movement control orders that impose various restrictions.

During this time it is more important than ever that you take care of your oral health. But what exactly should you do to handle oral health during the pandemic?

The good news is that for the most part your oral hygiene regimen itself is not going to change. Just like before the pandemic you should still brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss at least once. On top of that you should also stay away from alcohol, tobacco, and sweet food or drinks that are bad for your oral health.

But while your core regimen remains the same, there are other areas where it may be good to make changes.

Clean and Disinfect Toothbrushes

People often tend to ignore toothbrush care, but it is actually very important – especially during this pandemic. Toothbrushes can harbor bacteria, and can contribute to the spread of contagious diseases such as COVID-19.

Because COVID-19 can stay on surfaces for up to three days, it is a good idea to get into the habit of cleaning and disinfecting your toothbrush on a daily basis. To do that just soak it in a solution of 0.5% hydrogen peroxide for 15 minutes just to be safe, then rinse it off thoroughly before you brush.

Additionally you should remember to replace your toothbrush regularly – at least every three to four months.

Dental Visits

Another area where you’ll want to make changes is your dental visits. As a rule you should never visit your dentist without an appointment during this period, and should book your appointment as far in advance as possible due to longer waiting periods.

One alternative that you could try is teledentistry so that you don’t need to physically visit your dentist’s office.

If there’s a dental emergency, you should still first contact your dentist and ask if you can come in – rather than simply showing up. In the event that it isn’t possible, your dentist should be able to direct you to another Northampton dentist or one that is close to your location.

Final Words

As you can see, handling oral health during the pandemic doesn’t really have to be that difficult. All it takes is a few small changes on your end so that you can cope with the current situation better.

If you feel ill and suspect that you’re COVID-19 positive, you may want to take other steps too. Make it a point to store your oral health products separately, clean your hands thoroughly before brushing or flossing, and discard your toothbrushes after you recover.

All said and done your goal should be to maintain good oral health during this pandemic. If you can do that you will be able to lower your risk of infection, and also avoid other conditions – such as mask mouth.