PLANTATION, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In response to the American Dental Association’s (ADA) recent recommendation to postpone elective procedures such as checkups and cleanings, DentalPlans.com, America’s #1 online marketplace for dental and health savings plans, is offering the following at-home hygiene tips to help Americans keep their teeth healthy.
Prevent Bacteria with Rinsing:
A minute of rinsing with plain, warm water after every meal or snack can help remove debris between your teeth. Food debris mingles with bacteria, dental plaque and saliva in your mouth to create tartar, which requires a professional cleaning to safely remove.
Clean Between Your Teeth:
Consider interdental products such as powered air or water flossers, or small interdental brushes designed to clean between teeth to step up your dental hygiene routine. This is especially important if you don’t like flossing or forgot to stock up on dental floss.
Try Therapeutic Mouthwashes:
Think about using an antibacterial mouth rinse to help control bacteria that may lead to dental decay and gum disease. Look for one that has antiseptic properties. If you have oral health issues such as gingivitis, call your dentist to see if there’s a particular product you should use – some require prescriptions.
Boost Good Bacteria:
Some of the bacteria in your mouth is good, and helps your breath stay fresh, improves digestion and may even protect against dental decay by stimulating saliva flow that helps keep your mouth clean and healthy. Eating foods that contain beneficial bacteria (also known as probiotics), such as yogurt, kefir and fermented items, can help increase good bacteria.
Clean Your Tongue:
Remove the bacteria and food particles that reside on your tongue by brushing it gently with your (soft) toothbrush or a tongue scraper.
Disinfect Your Toothbrush:
To keep your toothbrush free of germs and bacteria, try a 30-second dip in an antibacterial mouthwash, or dissolve 2 teaspoons of baking soda in 1 cup of water and soak the toothbrush for several minutes. You can also soak your toothbrush in white vinegar overnight, once a week, according to Project Clean Toothbrush.
“Preventive care is critical to oral health and overall well-beginning, so it’s important we all step-up our at-home dental routines to ensure our mouths are staying healthy until we can get back to the dentist,” said Jenn Stoll, Chief Commercial Officer at DentalPlans.com. “While simple habits can go along way for protecting teeth, seeing a dentist twice a year for professional care is still a must, once available.”
Remember, delaying elective procedures doesn’t mean dentists can’t provide emergency care. Don’t wait to get care for oral infections and call your dentist (or use a tele-dentistry service) for advice on handling issues such as cracked, chipped or broken teeth.
If dental care seems unaffordable, dental savings plans can help reduce the cost of care by 10-60%, including savings on many emergency, restorative and preventive procedures.
About DentalPlans.com
DentalPlans.com, founded in 1999, is America’s #1 online marketplace for dental and health savings plans, helping more than a million people to affordably access quality healthcare services. Our mission is to empower consumers with the tools, information, and services that they need to live happier, healthier lives. www.dentalplans.com.
