Tips from the Ismaili Dental Hygiene Alliance | The Ismaili Canada

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Tips from the Ismaili Dental Hygiene Alliance

April 17, 2021 | Canada

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the field of dentistry practiced universal precautions which involved a set of effective practices designed to protect healthcare workers and patients from infections. These practices are used when caring for all patients, regardless of diagnosis. Essentially, this means that everyone is treated with high precautions - as though they could potentially be infectious.

Due to the pandemic, infection control practices have been further expanded, and the priority continues to be protecting the safety of both patients and staff. With this knowledge, patients should feel comfortable and confident when attending and undergoing dental treatment. In addition, concerned patients can always request to speak to their dental professional regarding risk assessments prior to their treatment.

To help to support your dental health, below are some simple tips from the Ontario Ismaili Dental Hygiene Alliance:

  • Follow the advice of your dental hygienists - brush twice a day and floss once a day to prevent tooth decay. Although good dental hygiene might not be at the front of your mind in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, that could change quickly if you develop a painful cavity.
  • A healthy diet is key to healthy teeth. Avoid starchy foods, sugary drinks, and excessive snacking – a habit that’s all too easy to adopt when dealing with self-quarantine, which is stressful and boring for some.
  • Take care of your toothbrush. Your toothbrush can easily transmit viruses. When flushing your toilet, do it with the lid closed to prevent aerosols from landing onto your toothbrush. Replace your toothbrush every 3 months, and especially after you have had a cold or other illness to prevent contamination. If you or someone else in your family is sick, that person should use a different tube of toothpaste (a travel size, for example), to prevent spreading germs to other toothbrushes.

Eugenia Roberts, DDS, a clinical Assistant Professor at Midwestern University Clinics in Arizona, notes that “there is established scientific evidence that the immune response in your body is closely related to the health of your gums. During a pandemic, the goal is to optimize your immune system. A healthy mouth frees the body’s immune system to fight off other intruders.”

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