What Did We Learn About Dentistry During the Pandemic?

June 23, 2021

There was good news and bad news. According to a recent New York Times Magazine article entitled “The Pandemic Was Bad for Our Teeth,” dentists found new ways to reach their patients and were even able to help underserved patients who have always had access-to-care issues. When the pandemic hit and offices were forced to shut down, except for emergencies, many dental professionals began charting new waters. Tele-dentistry visits soared, and advice on home care and nutrition and overall health was dispensed digitally. 

However, the pandemic hit Americans’ oral health hard. As the New York Times article states, stress related mouth injuries like cracked teeth increased, and cavities and gum disease skyrocketed. We were locked down, and sugary foods and drinks were our comfort zone during a frightening time. People lost dental insurance or were afraid to go the dentist.

Great oral health starts with YOU – a lesson we’ve all hopefully learned. According to Dr. Mark Cannon, a Chicago area pediatric dentist and noted dental researcher, there is a great deal that you can do with home care. In addition to the basics of serious flossing and brushing, there are many products such as ProBiora Health’s oral-care probiotics that can help prevent dental health issues. Dr. Cannon believes oral-care probiotics should be used by everyone because they replenish the beneficial bacteria and crowd out the harmful bacteria we all have in our mouths. That simple process can balance things in your oral microbiome, which means your oral cavity is working like it should. After all, a healthy mouth means a healthier body and don’t forget that “leaky gums lead to leaky gut”! Nothing can replace visiting the dentist, but showing up with a healthy mouth to your next dental appointment is sure to make everyone smile.

Source:  Kim Tingley, New York Times Magazine, May 23, 2021 

New York Times subscribers may read the article at: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/19/magazine/the-pandemic-was-bad-for-our-teeth-will-it-change-oral-health-forever.html