During the coronavirus pandemic, many of our patients have had to postpone their preventative care and smile maintenance appointments for later dates. As your trusted dentist in Asheville, NC, we wanted to provide you with some additional information on how to continue caring for your smile during these tough times. Here are some simple things that you can do at home to ensure that you are maintaining your dental health.
Eat a healthy diet.
A healthy diet leads to a healthy smile. Sugary and starchy foods are notoriously tough on your teeth and can lead to the progression of cavities or gum disease. Foods like gummy candies or potato chips should be avoided or eaten in moderation. Additionally, drinks like soda, coffee, or tea should also be consumed sparingly to avoid tooth discoloration or staining. Make sure that you are eating foods high in calcium and vitamin C, as both of these are essential to your dental and overall health. Apples, yogurt, cheese, strawberries, leafy greens, assorted nuts, and carrots are great snacks to keep around the house that are smile-friendly, and dentist-approved.
Brush and Floss regularly.
It is always important to practice good oral hygiene habits, but it is now especially important if you have had to postpone your standard preventative care appointment. Brushing and flossing your teeth regularly is a simple preventative measure you can take to ensure the health and wellbeing of your smile. When your brush and floss your teeth, you are getting rid of any food residue, buildup, and bacteria left behind on your tooth surfaces. This is essential as the mouth is the entryway to your digestive and respiratory systems. Ensuring that your teeth are clean will not only benefit your dental health but also your overall health because it prevents the buildup of harmful bacteria in your body. You should brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day.
Know who to call during a dental emergency.
Dental emergencies happen when you least expect them. It’s important to be aware of how to handle a dental emergency so that if you experience one, you know what to do. Dental emergencies or pain in the mouth should not be ignored. Addressing any problems immediately can often prevent permanent or costly damage. Our office offers emergency dentistry services at all times. For patients of record who are experiencing an emergency after hours, please call 828.713.9533 to speak with the dentist on call.
Reschedule your preventative care appointment.
As dental offices begin to reopen, it’s important that you reschedule your preventative care appointment. Unfortunately, many dental concerns do not show noticeable symptoms until they result in major discomfort or tooth loss. It’s important to have your teeth, gums, and jawbone cleaned and evaluated by a professional dentist at least once every six months. At Red Maple Dental, we want to assure you that our office has always exceeded patient safety standards and will continue to do so now. We are taking additional steps to maintain a clean and safe environment for our patients to receive their necessary care. Get to know more about our patient safety initiatives here. Our entire team looks forward to seeing you soon.