COVID-19 and the Importance of Oral Health in this Pandemic

Keeping your twice-yearly visit to the dentist has undoubtedly been harder to accomplish in 2020. Lockdowns, quarantines, social distancing…all have put oral health and hygiene on the back burner for many people.

This is a critical mistake especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. And the negative impact on your health can go way beyond the social impropriety of mask breath or halitosis.

If at home, you must be diligent in your oral health routines. This includes consistent brushing, flossing, tongue scraping, mouthwash, and more. Research clearly shows that the oral microbiome affects your entire body.

You most likely learned to brush your teeth 2 times per day and encouraged you to floss. However, you may not understand the important reasons why these practices are so crucial to your overall health. Practicing proper oral hygiene helps to boost your immunity, prevent infections, protect against autoimmune conditions, and more.

A clear link exists between oral health and our oral and gut microbiomes. If you know me, you know I preach about the importance of stealth infections in the mouth, root canals (which have a lifetime of approximately 8-10 years), crowns, mercury amalgams, and any pain/sensation in the mouth. Research shows the oral microbiome is absolutely connected to systemic, overall health, and unfortunately, it’s being missed in mainstream medicine.