02/03/2021

Worn, cracked teeth

During the pandemic, overnight, many people found themselves quarantined, working from home or furloughed. These sudden changes created stress and anxiety. To help them cope, many exchanged business or work attire for sweats and PJs. People ate more comfort foods and snacks, binged on TV shows, and skipped their daily oral care routines. A year after the COVID-19 shutdown, dental professionals are noticing more patients have serious dental problems.

Here is how to better understand the pandemic’s impact on oral health.

When stressed, many people clench their jaw and grind their teeth. Often, they do this at night and may not know it until a family member or the dentist tells them. Grinding wears down tooth enamel. Jaw clenching can cause headaches, jaw pain and affect people’s bite.

In early 2021 found that 70% of dentists had noticed an increase in the number of patients showing signs of teeth grinding and clenching. Teeth grinding can cause chipped or cracked teeth. This can lead to serious dental problems, such as lost teeth and the need for expensive dental procedures.

Since dental offices were closed during the COVID-19 shutdown, people could not schedule checkups and cleanings. They had to put off minor dental needs, such as fillings, too. As a result, dentists have noticed an increase in patients needing more extensive dental care. They also found more incidences of gum disease.

For a healthy mouth, brush 2 minutes, twice a day, usually in the morning and at bedtime. Make sure to brush all tooth surfaces.

We Dentists also recommend flossing once a day to lower the risk of developing gum disease Flossing helps remove food particles stuck between teeth and along the gumline. Floss first, then brush.