Boost your immune system and practice these basic tips from an expert to protect yourself against viruses. Oral healthcare is essential to boosting full body wellness, which contributes to your immune system’s ability to fight viral infections.

The only way to prevent yourself from contracting COVID-19 is to practice social distancing, washing your hands frequently, and avoiding contact with people who may have the virus.

However, there are things above and beyond social distancing and hand washing, that can help strengthen your immune system’s ability to fight viruses like COVID-19.

Your mouth is one place that can help you ward off illnesses. Things like brushing, flossing, and the right diet are some things that contribute to good oral wellness. But, there’s more you can do to start with your mouth for whole-body wellness. To stay feeling good, it’s important to know what to do to make sure your mouth is as healthy as can be.

Here are six ways to keep your immune system strong during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Good food and drinks mean a healthy mouth and body.

If you’re stuck inside and snacking almost 24/7 – you’re not alone! Being so close to our kitchen means that it’s easy to reach for pop, beer, or a glass of wine. But before you reach for that next drink, consider that acidic drinks will erode your teeth over time. Even things like sports drinks can cause damage to your teeth. Aside from possibly harming your teeth, these types of beverages can hurt your body too. Alcoholic drinks are usually high in sugar and can lead to weight gain and poor gut health. You won’t do your body any favors if you happen to get sick, no matter what the illness is.

Alcohol is especially bad for your mouth and should enjoy it in moderation. Alcohol is dehydrating and can negatively impact your immune system. It could also affect your sleep and tempt you to eat those snacks you were avoiding! Cutting alcohol is a great way to boost your immune system to prevent COVID.

Another thing to avoid is hard foods, like crusty bread, hard nuts, candy, and chewing on ice. All these things can damage your teeth, especially if you have fillings. Stick to softer, healthy foods to boost your overall wellness and keep your teeth healthy.

Stress hurts more than just your teeth

It’s no secret that the whole world is feeling a bit more stressed these days. Whether you’re working from home, have kids off from school, or are stressed about your future, we get it. It’s common for people who feel stressed to grind or clench their teeth, especially at night. Wearing a night guard, no matter how nerdy it looks, will protect your teeth from unnecessary wear and tear.

If you don’t have a night guard and find yourself clenching your teeth or experiencing jaw, head, or neck pain, it’s important you find ways to relax. Things like yoga, meditation, and self-massaging your jaw and temples, are all things that will help your teeth and help you de-stress and unwind. There are many videos online for yoga, meditation, and self-massage, so find your favorites and practice them at least once a day.

Drink more water

Our immune systems thrive off getting enough water. Water is so incredibly important in helping your body function smoothly. Water also helps your mouth stay nice and fresh. Things like preventing illness, all the way to having great skin and hair, are all thanks to our best friend, H20.

A good rule of thumb is that you should be drinking about eight 8-ounce glasses a day, which is about 2 liters. The most popular water bottles are 500mls. If you have one of those lying around, it will take four of those bottles a day to get the recommended amount. Set a goal of finishing a bottle of water in the morning, at lunch, in the afternoon, and with dinner.

If plain water doesn’t float your boat, try lemon water, herbal teas, or other fruit infused teas. Avoid caffeinated drinks since caffeine is a diuretic, which makes you use the bathroom more and require you to drink more water. Coffee can stain your teeth, and it’s acidic, which can damage your teeth.  

If you’re stuck at home all day, you may be drinking coffee more often than usual. Try and set a daily limit and drink an extra glass of water if you enjoy a caffeinated beverage. Changing what you drink and help you prevent covid.

Quit smoking and vaping (or any other bad habits)

It’s no secret that dentists everywhere loath smoking and vaping for the damage it causes to your mouth and teeth, not to mention what they can do to the rest of your body. With more time on our hands, now is possibly the best time to quit those bad habits. Smokers are also higher-risk of complications should they contract COVID-19. This pandemic could be considered a wake-up call for those wanting to quit smoking.

It may also be a great time to practice cooking more at home, eating a healthy diet, or finally getting around to start a garden to grow some veggies. Eating better helps your oral hygiene and your immune system.

Sleep well 

Staying on a schedule can be tough during social isolation, especially if your day starts and ends at home. Good sleep is essential to overall wellness and your oral health. Studies show there is a link between lack of sleep and issues with your mouth, such as periodontitis (deep pockets between your gums and teeth that can cause your teeth to loosen and move around.)

Aim for at least 7-10 hours of sleep. A rested body is a strong body. It’s important for your overall health to make sure you’re getting enough sleep. If you’re having trouble falling to sleep, consider trying a mediation app. Avoid screen time before bed, and skip caffeine and sugar at least a few hours before you’re ready to get some rest to help your body prevent COVID-19..

Healthy mouth, healthy body

Your mouth is so much more than just your smile. Your mouth protects your body from bacteria that can cause illnesses and disease. It is a remarkable vessel that helps you get all the nutrients into your body and keep your immune system strong.

Seeing a dentist regularly can help catch oral diseases early that might impact your immune response. Make the dentist a regular part of your wellness routine.

Just like you take the time to think about how to make a dental appointment, you should also think about all the things you can do to keep your mouth healthy. All these tips will help your immune system fight and prevent viruses like COVID-19. You won’t regret it.

The post 6 ways to strengthen your immune system during the COVID-19 pandemic appeared first on The Floss By Opencare.

Afraid to go back to the dentist during COVID-19? Check out what measures dentists are taking to ensure patient safety while practices begin to open back up in 2020.

As more businesses get the green light to open again, many of us are feeling unsure of what our new reality is going to look like post-COVID-19 shutdown. Going to dentist during COVID-19 may be daunting. Many dental offices in North America were closed for appointments aside from dental emergencies during COVID-19. Now, dental offices around the country are getting ready to open again for regular appointments.

With all the uncertainty of our new reality, many patients are wondering if it’s safe to go to the dentist before they make a dental appointment. If you ask a dentist if it’s safe to go to the dentist, they’ll shout “DO NOT BE AFRAID!” with a big, perfect smile. Dentists have been, and are doing, a ton to ensure patient safety. Many dental offices are open for emergency care and already practicing special safety measures, while others are gearing up to open full-time and following new protocol.

Here are some of the things dentists are doing to ensure your safety during COVID-19:

1.  Offering an extremely sanitized space

The great news is, dentistry sterilization measures have already been in practice for years. You’ve likely already noticed that your dental office was squeaky clean before COVID-19. Dental offices have always been serious about dental sterilization protocol, and now with COVID-19, they’re even more stringent with making sure everything in the office is sanitized.

Dental offices have pre-existing, rigorous infection control protocols and now have even more protocols in place to keep you safe. Many offices even have a dedicated infection control officer on staff whose job is to make sure everyone is following the right steps to keep the office clean and safe for everyone.

2. Dental employees have receive special infection control training

Dentists in Ontario already follow a strict infection control protocol. In Canada, for example, this protocol is outlined by a committee called PIDAC (Provincial Infectious Diseases Advisory Committee). One of the things PIDAC does is advise public health Ontario on matters related to patient safety and infection control and provide a best practices document that ensures patient safety. 

Dentists, hygienists, and all employees working with patients receive detailed training because dental procedures are thorough and have extremely high sterilization standards. On top of that, all dental office management employees have also been receiving extra training to manage the office to prevent COVID-19. This ensures all patient spaces are safe from the waiting area and front desk, to the washrooms and the front doors.  

3. Dental instruments are sterilized thoroughly

Again, sterilization is nothing new to dentists. Patients can trust that all dental instruments are clean, since dental offices already do practice strict sterilization of dental instruments protocols for cleaning dental tools. One example is cleaning instruments and tools. In this case, everything will be put in a bag to sterilize dental kits and instruments. These bags are treated at 100 degrees Celsius under steam pressure for a prolonged amount of time. This treatment evaporates bacteria and viruses, including the one that causes COVID-19. The instruments are then marked, time stamped, and recorded so that quality control checks can take place. The instruments are not opened until a patient walks into the room.

After you leave the room, and before the next patient arrives, the room will be cleaned from top to bottom using the proper virus and bacteria killing disinfectants.  

4.  COVID-19 specific screening and prevention measures 

Dental offices are also taking new COVID-10 specific measures to ensure the safety of patients. You will likely notice increased screening for dentist appointments and temperature taking before patients arrive to make sure no one comes into the office with any signs or symptoms of COVID-19. There may be things like plexiglass barriers at the front desk and operative rooms may even be sealed with plastic doors to prevent any spread of germs.

Lastly, some dental procedures might look different. For example, your hygienist will likely only do hand scaling rather than use a cavitron which vibrates to physically break off plaque so there’s less potential spray occurring from the mouth.

5.  Use of personal protection equipment

You will notice increased personal protection equipment when you go to the dentist. This ensures your safety, as well as theirs. Things like face shields, gowns, and N95 masks which have a superior seal compared to regular surgical masks will likely be the norm. As more research is done with how the virus spreads, your dentist is keeping up-to-date with what to wear and precautions to take to keep patients safe while still delivering safe and much needed dental care.

Patients may also be given masks when they walk in, be offered sanitizer before their appointment, and likely a mouth rinse with hydrogen peroxide. Going to the dentist during COVID-19 should not be something to stress about.

Don’t be afraid to go to the dentist!

Dental care is essential for your oral and overall health, so don’t shy away from getting back into the dentist chair once practices fully reopen. If you’re wondering how to schedule a dentist appointment, or what your dentist is doing to ensure your safety – just call them! Ask questions and engage if you’re feeling unsure. Dentists are experts in infection control and they’ve been doing it for a long time. All of our Opencare dentists would be happy to answer any questions you may have.

The post Don’t be afraid to go back to the dentist during COVID-19 appeared first on The Floss By Opencare.

What defines a dental emergency and when should you go to the dentist during COVID-19?

by Samie Durnford and Dr. Natalie Archer, DDS

With many dental offices around the continent only open for dental emergencies during COVID-19, you may be left with many questions. When can I go? Is it even safe? And how do you maintain social distance at the dentist’s office anyway? Luckily, dentists across the nation are ready to support patients during this time, and we have compiled the best advice for seeking help if you have a dental emergency. 

Dentistry is considered an essential service. And while you won’t be able to go get your teeth whitened or a regular cleaning, you absolutely can see a dentist if you’re experiencing an emergency.

What defines a dental emergency?

A dental emergency is anything that is causing immediate and unavoidable pain or discomfort. If you’re experiencing pain that can’t be helped by medications (like ibuprofen) or antibiotics, it’s time to call your dentist. Dental practices that are open for emergencies will take your information over the phone and work with you to decide if you require a visit or not.

While unavoidable pain is a common sign of a dental emergency, dental offices in different areas of the country may define emergencies differently. If you’re unsure if you have a dental emergency, call a local dentist office that’s accepting emergency appointments to get screened.

Tele-dentistry has allowed dental practices to quickly adapt to social distancing safety protocols. Now, you can call your dentist to do an over-the-phone screening where they will walk you through your dental history, and identify on your charts where the pain might be stemming from. If you’re able to chat with your regular dentist, they’ll be able to examine notes from your past visits to help diagnose what the problem might be.

The most common dental emergencies are:

• Knocked out tooth
• Cracked or chipped tooth
• Abscessed tooth
•  Severe tooth pain or infection
• Gum infection with pain or swelling

If you’re experiencing a dental emergency, you should make a dental appointment as soon as possible.

What if I have a cavity or a toothache?

If you’re in so much pain that you can’t function or sleep, then a cavity or toothache could be considered an emergency. If you’re experiencing mild pain, try taking an over the counter pain medicine and see if the sensitivity or pain goes away. Often, a cavity is not an emergency and can wait until dentist offices resume regular services before going in to get the cavity dealt with.

If the ache doesn’t go away at all, and it’s impacting your daily life, or you’re waking up at night in pain, call your dentist and discuss making an appointment.

What about cavities waiting to be fixed, cleaning, and x-rays?

If it’s not a dental emergency, routine checkups will have to wait. Don’t worry if you have a cavity that was scheduled to be fixed but got postponed because of COVID-19. Continue to practice good oral hygiene (regular brushing and flossing), and any other recommendations that will help maintain your oral wellness. Things like drinking water, sleeping well, avoiding sugary foods, drinking too much tea or coffee, and taking care of your mouth will get you through to that next cleaning!

How do I know a tooth is infected?

You can tell a tooth is infected if you have swelling or knots on your gums or any swelling in your face. If you experience a fever or your skin is hot to the touch around the area of your mouth where the pain is, then it’s time to call your dentist because it might be signs of infection.

What if my dentist isn’t open at all? How do I schedule an emergency dental appointment?

Don’t worry! Most dentists that are open for emergency dental appointments are happy to screen new patients and help you decide whether you’re experiencing a dental emergency. Find a dentist that’s open near you and contact them if you have any concerns at all. Even if you’re not a patient of their practice, they’ll be able to chat with you over the phone to get to know your symptoms and dental history. 

Is going to the dentist for a dental emergency safe for me?

Thankfully, infection control has always been paramount in dentistry and practices are doing everything they can to ensure that your visit is safe. Dental practices in Canada are regulated by the Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC). In the United States, the American Dental Association (ADA) is ensuring that dentists follow proper safety protocols.

Every patient is screened for COVID-19 symptoms before they’re allowed to make an appointment or come in for a dental emergency visit. While every practice varies, many of them are only allowing single-patient entries into the practice. Chances are you will be required to wear a mask, and you may have to have your mouth rinsed with hydrogen peroxide. Your dental team will also be fitted in personal protection equipment to keep both you and them safe. The office will be sterilized, head to toe and dental sterilization equipment will be used on all tools, much like it was before.

Dental offices have habits and best practices that have been ingrained in dentistry since before the time of COVID-19. So, you can trust that your dentist is doing everything possible to ensure your safety. If you’re still feeling nervous, just call and ask them what they’re doing to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and keep patients safe.

There may be times you experience a dental emergency, and there’s no reason to avoid the dentist if one occurs during COVID-19. Rest assured, practices are cleaning their dental instruments and following strict sterilization protocols, paired with proper screening of patients to ensure that everyone remains safe from infection.

The post Dental emergencies during COVID-19: Your ultimate guide. appeared first on The Floss By Opencare.