From the global economy to individual relationships and even our oral health, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted us all in very many ways.
It may sound like a joke. But according to dentists the world over, oral health has suffered terribly in the past two years. And among the reasons, it seems, is that on top of frequent snacking on sweets during the incessant lockdowns, some folks just forgot to brush, while others simply stopped caring about their routine.
Granted, those extended periods of movement restriction, especially early on, were difficult and stressful. So no one would blame you if you were one of the many who chose to work in their pyjamas and not brush and floss regularly.
That being said, with the world reopening and physical work, including client meetings, seminars and events, starting up again, it’s time to resume the old care regimes.
A winning smile is, after all, one of the most important assets for direct sellers. So you may be pleased to know that it only takes a few steps to get your pearly whites and oral health back in shape.
1. Bin your old toothbrush
So all right, you may not be using the same toothbrush you had when the world went into lockdown. But do check to see how long it’s been since you last changed it.
As a rule, brushes should be swapped out every 12-16 weeks. And that’s the same for electric toothbrush heads.
Essentially, the nylon bristles in brushes can endure a lot. However, the stress of constant cleaning is going to eventually result in flaring — where bristles cease to hold their original shape — rendering them ineffective. Hence the need to switch often.
And the choice of brushes matters, incidentally. For the best result, dentists recommend soft-bristled brushes, especially those with rounded tips.
2. Swap the toothpaste too
Just as important as paying attention to your toothbrush is reconsidering your toothpaste.
Do you just pick up the best buy option as many people do? Well, it’s time to take your choices more seriously.
You see, almost all toothpaste brands claim to be able to fight and prevent tooth decay. Yet most also contain harmful chemicals, chiefly fluoride — a chemical that can do adverse damage to one’s overall physical health.
Thus, the solution is to opt for a toothpaste such as ProSpark, which is fortified with natural ingredients like neem and rock salt and a patented mix of amino acids.
Neem, incidentally, has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries and has been scientifically proven to be effective in protecting against cavities and gum disease. Rock salt, meanwhile, helps teeth remineralise and neutralise the acids that cause tooth decay.
3. Brush regularly and properly
Brushes and paste aside, it’s time to be vigilant about cleaning your ivories.
While it’s certainly true that different people and cultures have different habits, dentists recommend a brushing regimen of nothing less than twice a day and for a minimum of two minutes each time.
Don’t brush too hard, though! You may think that righting all the months of neglect requires serious scrubbing. However, oral health experts say that’s likely to make the situation worse. As such, instead of “scrub”, think “massage”.
Oh, and don’t forget to brush your gum line!
4. Make sure to floss
There are many contradictory messages on flossing. Indeed, experts don’t all agree that the practice does prevent cavities.
However, what dentists are on the same page about is that if you’ve been disregarding the basics, there’s an increased risk of gum disease — something that regular flossing can help with.
Flossing can be uncomfortable. Nevertheless, with the right technique and dental floss, you’ll be giving your smile a new lease of life.
5. Visit your friendly neighbourhood dentist
We left this to the end, considering how many people view a visit to the dentist as well, a visit to the dentist!
Nevertheless, the truth is that teeth have a limited ability to repair themselves. So if your goal is to get your oral health back on track, you’ll likely need professional help, and a visit to the dentist at least twice a year could be just the ticket.
You might feel unnerved, anxious, and even a little embarrassed. But honestly, there’s no need to fret. Dentists see so many patients daily. And not only are most of them super professional, some even offer virtual consultations these days.
Also, do remember that you’re making all this effort for your smile. And every single thing matters!
