As the Dentist in Charge at HCF, Dr Ho works across their network of Centres, including Parramatta and Blacktown.
And while the Blacktown and Parramatta centres are currently only open for urgent or emergency appointments during the lockdown, he provided some key tips on how we can all keep on smiling with confidence and keep ourselves healthy at the same time.
Dr Ho said it was more important than ever that people put extra thought to their oral health in these uncertain times.
“During lockdown a lot of our daily life has changed, but one thing you can control is your dental health,” Dr Ho said.
“While we’ve been forced to slow down, this is actually a great time to set up healthy habits like brushing twice a day for at least two minutes, flossing at least once a day and concentrating on good nutrition.
“Your local dentist may only be open for emergencies, but chances are they are only a phone call away if you have any concerns, so that you can avoid something more serious, and expensive, happening down the track.”
Dental survey findings
HCF has just released the findings of a survey that’s revealed half of Australians admit to skipping brushing their teeth during lockdown.
The survey also revealed that more than 2.7 million Australians admit to skipping brushing their teeth daily during lockdown and that as many as 1.9 million people were only prompted to brush their teeth during lockdown after putting on a mask and smelling their own breath.
Other reasons people were prompted to brush their teeth during lockdown included feeling unhygienic 39%, teeth started to feel ‘furry’ 27%, feeling guilty 21% or they were about to leave home 20%.
Aussies with kids are home under 18, at 54%, were more likely than those who do not at 33%,to delay or skip brushing teeth at least once a week and one in four parents said they were motivated to brush their teeth to be a good role model for kids.
The survey also found that 17% of men were more likely than women at 11%, to skip brushing their teeth on a daily basis. Dr Ho’s top tips to keep smiling during lockdown are:
1. Watch the snacks: Every time we eat or drink, the digestion process starts in the mouth. If you constantly snack you don’t give your saliva time to work which could result in more acid in the mouth and more sensitivity and decay.
2. Don’t forget nutrition: Food high in sugar can significantly damage tooth enamel. The best drink for your teeth is water.
3. De-stress: Lockdown has put us in many stressful situations like homeschooling, working from home, and not enjoying social activities. People who are more stressed may tend to clench their teeth and get jaw ache, so try some strategies to reduce stress for the sake of your smile as well as your mental health.
4. Find a new daily routine: People should be mindful of skipping healthy habits just because they’re no longer commuting to work or leaving the house. Don’t blame lockdown for skipping brushing your teeth; rather, use it as an excuse to spend more time on your health and implement a routine to help get you back on track,.
5. Start flossing: If you’re not used to flossing, then now is the time to start – daily flossing helps to reduce dental decay, gum disease and even bad breath by cleaning between the teeth where your brush may not reach. Brushing your tongue and roof of your mouth also helps prevent bad breath, so your friends and family will benefit too!”
6. Make a plan to visit your dentist: Make a plan to visit your dentist when restrictions ease. It’s something to look forward to for the sake of your health.
