How To Keep Your Teeth Healthy During a Pandemic or Any Future Apocalypse

By: Dr. Amy See

No one could have expected that when the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic first hit, it would have lasted this long. Most people believed that by now, we would’ve gone back to business as usual and things returned to the way they used to be.

But each year the virus seems to mutate and adapt in new ways, so social distancing and wearing protective face masks might be the new norm that is here to stay.

Wherever you are in your life right now, a routine trip to the dentist may not be possible for you at the moment. So it’s important to look after your oral health to prevent long-term dental problems that are very painful and expensive to repair. 

So what can you do to protect your teeth if you can’t go to the dentist?

Here are our top 3 easy tips that our dental team has put together on keeping your teeth healthy during a pandemic or any future apocalypse.

Tip #1: Best Way to Keep Your Smile Clean

Brushing your teeth is one of the best things you can do to maintain a healthy and clean mouth. That’s because brushing will physically remove the plaque, food debris, and bacteria that are stuck on your teeth.

But be aware that brushing alone is not enough to prevent cavities and future dental problems. The bristles of your toothbrush simply cannot reach the small gaps in between your teeth or other hard-to-reach crevices and spots.

That’s why it’s important to also floss your teeth at least once a day to get rid of the plaque and pieces of food stuck in between your teeth that your toothbrush cannot remove.

But are you guilty of the 30-second cleaning?

Most people on average spend about 45 seconds or less brushing their teeth. But currently, the American Dental Association (ADA) says you should be brushing for 2 minutes twice a day.

So if you’re only spending 45 seconds or less brushing your teeth, odds are high that you’ll miss areas on your teeth. Allowing the remaining food particles and bacteria to turn into plaque.

The reason why you want to prevent this from happening is because it only takes about 24 hours for plaque to start building up on your teeth. When it builds up, it will then harden (calcify) on your teeth to form tartar.

When you have tartar formed on your teeth, it will begin to irritate your gums and over time become infected. And this infection can then turn into gum disease.

Did we mention it will also cause you to have really bad breath?!

So it’s important that you take the time to give your teeth a good cleaning. The act of brushing your teeth will stop this nasty buildup and will prevent your gums from becoming infected as a result. 

Does it seem like brushing for 2 minutes takes a long time? Well, this 2-minute twice-a-day brushing rule wasn’t a number that was just randomly picked out.

In 2012, there was a study that reviewed 59 articles published in the International Journal of Dental Hygiene that found on average, people who brushed their teeth for up to 1 minute removed only about 27% of the plaque on their teeth. And when people brushed their teeth for up to 2 minutes, they removed about 41% of the plaque on their teeth, so about twice as much.

For this reason, we recommend that you brush your teeth once in the morning and once in the evening for up to 2 minutes.

Tip #2: Keep Your Toothbrush Clean

Yes, your toothbrush is the best tool you can use to keep your teeth clean.

But unfortunately, it’s also a major source of germs because it can harbor bacteria and viruses on the bristles if you don’t keep it clean and regularly switch out your old brushes.

According to the National Institutes of Health, the coronavirus and other types of viruses/bacteria can attach themselves to the surface of your toothbrush and survive up to 2-3 days. 

The reason why this is an issue, especially during a pandemic, is because many families typically store their toothbrushes together in the bathroom.

And this close proximity means there is a high risk of spread if a family member becomes sick with COVID-19 (or even a flu virus).

Remember, viruses/bacteria can live up to 3 days on the surface of your toothbrush. And they can easily spread to other surfaces from physical contact from the infected toothbrush.

Therefore, it’s important that you clean and disinfect your toothbrush on a regular basis to prevent contamination, especially if someone is sick in your household.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization, very high temperatures have been effective in killing viruses, bacteria, and fungi.

The best way to clean and disinfect your toothbrush is to dip them in boiling hot water to kill any viruses or bacteria. This will greatly reduce the chance of spreading these germs to other people if someone is sick in your family. Not to mention it prevents the chance of reinfecting yourself with the virus if you’re sick. 

A common question we get from our patients is how long should they keep their toothbrushes before switching out to new ones?

According to the ADA, it’s recommended that you change your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months, or sooner if the bristles are worn out. 

However, if you get sick, especially with COVID-19, we recommend that you throw away your toothbrush once you’ve recovered and start with a brand new one so that you don’t risk getting sick again by re-infecting yourself.

Tip #3: Say “No Thanks” to Junk Food

Who doesn’t love watching tv or a movie while eating your favorite snacks and other comfort foods? It’s not surprising that this is a very popular way for people to unwind and relax, especially after a long day.

But since the pandemic, many people have been self-isolating at home and not being as social. So the stress and boredom of being alone have led to a large increase in the consumption of junk food.

Unfortunately, foods like soda, potato chips, hard candies, sugary artificial fruit drinks, etc. can all negatively affect your teeth.

That’s because highly processed starchy foods and sugar will cause your mouth to increase the amount of acid it produces in order to help digest the refined sugars, preservatives, and chemicals found in these types of food.

This increase of acid production in your mouth is really bad for your teeth because it dissolves the protective surface of your tooth, making them weaker and softer over time.

Not to mention, eating hard candies or snacks like popcorn/peanuts can cause damage to your tooth fillings, cause chipped teeth, and increase your chances of tooth decay.

If you’re in a situation where going to the dentist any time soon is not possible, it’s important that you try to avoid having a daily diet of highly processed low-fiber carbohydrates, candies, or sugary drinks.

By doing so, it will reduce your chances of having any painful dental emergencies that come from tooth decay or costly procedures you will need to correct long-term dental issues. 

The next time you feel the urge to snack, try drinking a full glass of water instead.

Research has shown that people’s craving for soda or junk food is triggered because they are actually dehydrated and not due to real hunger. Many times, people will misinterpret their body’s need for more water as hunger instead.

So make sure you drink plenty of water throughout the day. Health experts recommend 8 cups of water per day. By doing so, it’s one of the best things you can do to help reduce your urge to snack.

What If You Have a Dental Emergency?

If you feel like you or a loved one is suffering from a dental problem that requires emergency care right away, please do not hesitate to call us at 919-562-8200. We’re available to answer any of your questions or concerns, and also have same-day emergency dental appointments available.

Schedule An Appointment

If you’re ready to visit a dentist and would like to schedule an appointment, please call us at 919-562-8200, and our front staff will be more than happy to help you.

For your convenience, we also have an online contact form that you can fill out if you would like to schedule an appointment or have any further questions. Please click on this link (online contact form) and our staff will reach out to you.

In the meantime, may you and your loved ones stay safe during these unprecedented times!