The good news is as per the latest update from the CDC on 7 April 2020, no COVID-19 clusters have yet been reported in dental settings or personnel.

However, many dental procedures create an aerosol which could theoretically spread the virus and put the dental staff at greater risk. This is why at present dental clinics are only open for emergencies and are being extra cautious to protect themselves and their patients. They now use N95 masks, disposable gowns and caps in addition to our normal infection control techniques.

All elective surgeries, including cosmetic dentistry, have been stopped for the time being.

The following article was written by Dr Sarah Aalders at British International Dental Centre. You can contact her here if you have any queries.

What can you do to keep your teeth healthy?

First focus on prevention.

Eat a healthy diet.

A healthy diet is one that is low in free sugars, saturated fat and salt, and high in fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, wholegrain carbohydrates with modest amounts of legumes, fish, poultry and lean meat and plenty of fluids, preferably water and milk.

Avoid foods which contain free sugars.
The primary sources of free sugars in foods are the following:

  1. Confectionery (sweets, candies, and chocolates)
  2. Biscuits (cookies) and cakes
  3. Breakfast cereals
  4. Sweetened yoghurts
  5. Desserts, including ice cream; jams, jellies and preserves
  6. Table sugar, honey and syrups; sweetened savoury sauces; and commercially produced salad dressings
  7. Candied dried fruits such as mango, papaya and pineapple
  8. Processed fruit snacks formulated from fruit purees and fruit juice concentrates

Instead try healthier options such as:

  1. Fresh fruits,
  2. Vegetables,
  3. Nuts and seeds,
  4. Wholegrain carbohydrates
  5. Dried fruits to which no sugars are added during the drying process, for example dates, figs, prunes, raisins, apricots and pears.

Avoid sugary and carbonated drinks:

Such as:

  1. Coca cola
  2. Flavoured or condensed milk
  3. Beverages sweetened with artificial sweeteners
  4. Fruit juices

Instead drink the following:

  1. Water
  2. Milk, to which no sugars have been added
  3. Tea without added sugars
  4. Coffee without added sugars

For your overall wellbeing limit the intake of fat, especially saturated fat, and salt such as fries and salty corn snacks.

Maintaining oral hygiene is crucial.

Brush twice a day with a fluoridated toothpaste and floss or use a tepe brush once a day. Use the technique shown in this short video:

Keep your tooth brush away from your toilet or keep it covered. Remember to put the toilet seat down when you flush.

Parents should brush their children’s teeth twice a day up to the age of 7 years.

Change your toothbrush regularly and after any illness.

If you are in severe pain or have any of the following:

  • Bleeding – uncontrolled intra-oral bleeding
  • Swellings – spreading, recurrent or continuing and/or potentially resulting in air-way management issues
  • Trauma – severe dental trauma injuries
  • Pain – severe and uncontrolled dental pain

Call your dentist to make an emergency appointment. The British International Dental Centre is open for emergency appointments. They also offer telephone advice all you have to do is call 4411 7744 or 4460 6058. Please do not hesitate to contact them. You can also visit their website by clicking here.

If you have knocked a tooth out, try to keep the tooth moist – either by keeping it inside your cheek or even in milk, but do not dry it out or try to clean it. Call 5581 9591 and try to get to the dental clinic within 20 minutes.