Dental treatment is a procedure with a high risk of disease transmission due to the spread of saliva that may be contaminated with pathogens, including the coronavirus 2019, especially during an outbreak like this. It is recommended to avoid dental treatments that are not urgent, such as scaling, filling, wisdom tooth extraction, and dentures. However, if there are emergency symptoms such as toothache, swollen gums, pus, or dental trauma, you can make an appointment with a dentist as usual.
How to take care of your oral health during the period when you should avoid visiting the dentist
- Maintain oral hygiene with the 2-2-2 rule: brush your teeth at least twice a day, in the morning and before bed, using fluoride toothpaste for at least 2 minutes, and avoid eating or drinking within 2 hours after brushing.
- Use supplementary cleaning tools such as dental floss or interdental brushes regularly.
- Clean your toothbrush thoroughly after use. Do not store toothbrushes close together so that the bristles do not touch others’ toothbrushes to prevent cross-contamination.
- Reduce consumption of sweets and focus on eating vegetables and fruits to prevent tooth decay.
Proper oral health care can reduce the chance of oral problems. If your oral health is good, there is no need to visit the dentist, which also helps reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection.
Thank you for the information from the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth)
