As you face the various challenges and considerations that have arisen due to COVID-19, we understand that some things may be falling by the wayside. Don’t let your teeth be one of them! In fact, safeguarding your oral health is a critical part of keeping yourself healthy.

At-home healthcare: How can I keep my teeth healthy?

There are many things you can do to maintain your oral health in-between your regular check-ups. Here are some of the most important:

• Wash your hands: the most important intervention you can make! Remember to thoroughly wash your hands before and after dental care
• Keep up your regular dental routines: Make sure you continue brushing at least twice per day and flossing once per day—keeping up basic dental hygiene will help you reduce or avoid any preventable bacteria and plaque build-up.
• Make good diet choices: We know that sticky, sugary food and frequent snacking leads to a higher chance of cavities. Avoiding these common sources of cavities is one of the best ways to safeguard your oral health. Remember that this includes avoiding sugary drinks! Instead, drink lots of water during meals and outside of mealtimes.

Avoid smoking: Smoking has a harmful effect on your oral health; one of its bigger consequences is increasing bacteria build-up by restricting blood flow to your mouth.

But it’s important to remember at-home dental care isn’t enough on its own. Continuing your regular dental check-ups is essential to maintaining your oral health. Go here to see what precautions our office has taken to safeguard the health of our community and to put your worries at ease.

What can I do if dental issues arise?

Even if you follow all of the above guidelines, a combination of accidents and unavoidable issues can compromise your oral health. We’ve provided some guidance for various common issues:

Dental and soft-tissue pain

• General dental pain: Pain is our mouth’s way of telling us something is wrong. When you have dental pain without swelling, over-the-counter medication can help alleviate the pain temporarily—if the pain continues or gets worse, give Antoine Dental Center a call for guidance from our expert staff. When the pain is accompanied by swelling, you can combine over-the-counter pain medication with a warm, salt water rinse. Contact Antoine Dental Center for next steps.
• Oral pain: if other parts of your mouth are in pain, such as your gums, cheeks, lips, or tongue, we recommend trying an over-the-counter gel on soft-tissue sites that don’t have any swelling. Common oral gels include Orajel and can tide you over while you contact Antoine Dental Center for further guidance. There are also oral gels available for children, though kids can also take pediatric, over-the-counter pain medication.

Accidents

Physical injury: if you sustain trauma to your mouth, call Antoine Dental Center immediately. Based on your symptoms, we will be able to advise you on whether to seek care at our emergency services in our Houston office or whether you can wait a few days for an appointment.

Taking care of your teeth is an exercise in both short-term and long-term healthcare. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to give Antoine Dental Center a call, and, in the meantime, try to take excellent care of your oral health. Do your part to keep yourself safe during COVID-19!