Every year on March 20th FDI World Dental Federation run the World Oral Health Day to raise awareness of oral diseases and the negative impact this can have on your life and general wellbeing. Below are their helpful facts:
1. Practice a good oral hygiene routine
- Wash your hands with soap and water before brushing your teeth
- Brush for two minutes, twice a day, using a fluoride toothpaste. When brushing is not possible, rinse with a fluoride mouthwash or chew sugar-free gum after meals and snacks instead.
- Replace your toothbrush every three months, or immediately after you have been ill
- Avoid sharing personal items with people who are ill. This includes your toothbrush
- Floss at least once a day. Never reuse floss and do not re-use interdental cleaners if you were ill.
2. Eat a balanced, low-sugar diet.
The COVID-19 pandemic can lead to stress and uncertainty. Stress can affect food preferences and may increase the intake of foods high in sugar. Sugar is the number one cause of tooth decay (dental caries), which like most oral health conditions can be prevented.
- Eat a well-balanced diet that is low in sugar and high in fruit and vegetables.
Adults should have no more than six teaspoons of sugar daily; for children
it’s three. - Do not eat sugary snacks and treats between meals. Having sugar throughout the day increases the risk of developing tooth decay.
- Favour water as your main drink. Consuming sugary drinks regularly (around one can per day) is not only bad for your mouth, but can also increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and obesity.
3. Take Charge Of Your Oral Health
Stressed people are often more likely to drink alcohol or smoke. Harmful use of alcohol is strongly linked with an increased risk of several cancers, including cancers of the mouth, larynx, pharynx and oesophagus. Furthermore, the acid and high sugar content of most alcoholic drinks can erode your teeth and cause tooth decay.
Tobacco in any form, smoking or smokeless, is unsafe. Tobacco use puts your mouth at
an increased risk of gum disease and oral cancer. It also causes teeth staining, bad breath, premature tooth loss, and loss of taste and smell.
4. Consult Your Dentist
Prevention is the best way to avoid oral health problems. However, if you need dental care
during the COVID-19 pandemic, do not suffer in silence.
If the policy in your country or community requires people to stay at home (lockdown), getting medical care, including going to the dentist, can be an exception to this rule.
- If you already had an appointment in the diary for a regular check-up, call the dental practice and discuss with the staff whether you should postpone this appointment due to the local or national situation.
- If you have a toothache (dental pain), bleeding that will not stop, a broken tooth
or crown, signs of infection, such as swelling and pain4, do not wait until it gets worse. Call the dental practice and schedule an appointment to visit the dentist as soon as possible. - Do not attempt to treat or relieve any dental problem by yourself.
- If possible, go to the appointment alone. Only children and dependants should be
accompanied. - Arrive on time, rather than early, to minimize the time in the waiting room
with other patients. - Practice physical distancing when you are in the waiting room.
- Always follow the rules established by your dental clinic.
Depending on where you live, and if you need to visit the dentist, you must follow the national/ regional recommendations and contact the dentist for guidance if:
• you have tested positive for COVID-19;
• you have COVID-19 symptoms (dry cough, fever, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle
and joint pain, sore throat, headache);
• you live with someone or were in contact with someone with COVID-19.
5. Protect Yourself And Others
Remember the general rules to prevent the spread of COVID-19:
• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer
with at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Wear a mask, where recommended.
• Stay at home if your national or local policies require you to do so.
• Practice physical distancing and stay at least 2 meters away from other people.
To find out more about the campaign you can find it at www.worldoralhealthday.org