The coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis is putting people around the world at a variety of health risks. Your dental health can be affected by the stress that this virus is causing in your daily life. Capital Cosmetic Dentistry wants to provide you with some basic information on how your dental health is being affected by the COVID-19 crisis.
Plaque and Tartar Buildup
People are turning to sugary and staining foods to cope with the stress of COVID-19. Foods and beverages like hard-candies, potato chips, sodas, coffee, and teas leave behind staining agents and sugary residues on your teeth. If you are not thoroughly brushing and flossing your teeth after every meal or snack, your teeth are more likely to experience a buildup of plaque. If the plaque sits on your tooth surface for too long, it will harden into tartar and need to be professionally removed by your trusted dentist in Chevy Chase, MD. Make sure you are eating these foods in moderation during this particularly stressful time.
Facial Tension and Frown Lines
Under high stress, many people hold their stress in the muscles of their faces. This can lead to unsightly wrinkles and even chronic jaw pain, or a TMJ disorder. Patients should practice mindfulness during this stressful time to reduce their facial tension. While you are working, take periodic breaks to relax your facial muscles and move your jaw around to help it unclench. If you notice this crisis is causing fine lines and wrinkles, botox and dermal fillers can help restore the appearance of the smile including the lips, lines around the mouth and nose, as well as the jowls and chin. A dentist, like Dr. Banks, understands the facial anatomy more than most physicians and can make skillful injections that are comfortable and produce natural-looking results.
Poor Oral Hygiene
Finally, because of all of this additional stress, patients may notice they are forgetting to brush and floss their teeth. When our daily routine are thrown off, we are more likely to practice poor oral hygiene habits. At Capital Cosmetic Dentistry, we want to encourage our patients to continue practicing good oral hygiene even when times get tough. Brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day to reduce plaque and tartar buildup. We do not want to see our patients suffering from the long term dental consequences that come from neglecting your oral hygiene.
We look forward to seeing you in our office soon. Please contact us for more information on scheduling your next appointment. We wish all of our patients continued health and safety during this stressful time.