The coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has affected all industries, including that of dental health care. We want to make sure that you are updated on our office’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak, as well as offer you some tips on maintaining your dental health during this stressful time.
District Dental Solutions’ Response to COVID-19
The health and wellness of our patients, employees and the community is our top priority. Because of this, District Dental Solutions has decided to close our doors for the time being.
We will continue to closely monitor developments surrounding COVID-19 from the CDC and re-evaluate on Friday, March 27th. Because of how rapidly this situation is evolving, we highly recommend contacting our office for an up-to-date report on our office status.
If you experience a dental emergency during this time, please contact our office at (202) 955-5787. We will do our best to provide advice and care on an as-needed basis.
Don’t Let Stress Affect Your Dental Health
We want our patients to continue prioritizing their best oral health during this time. It is a fact that your oral health is intertwined with your overall health. Here are some simple things you can do at home to prevent future dental concerns caused by stress:
- Eat a healthy diet: Monitor your intake of sugary, citrus, or sticky foods and beverages. We understand that many of our patients will turn to comfort foods during this difficult time. However, sodas, coffees, potato chips, hard candies, and other common substances can have negative impacts on your teeth. Moderation is the best approach to avoiding plaque buildup and tooth staining caused by these foods and beverages.
- Maintain Good Oral Hygiene: While your daily schedules might be thrown off right now, it is best to maintain your best oral hygiene routine. This means you should be brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice a day. Good daily oral hygiene goes a long way in preventing longterm issues that can require costly restorative care. The more you do now, the less you will need to do later in terms of maintaining your beautiful smile.
- Practice Mindfulness: Teeth grinding or jaw clenching is a common reaction to stress. This can cause symptoms like headaches, earaches, and jaw pain–all of which you don’t want to be dealing with right now. We encourage patients to practice mindfulness during this highly stressful situation. Leave yourself reminders around your home to unclench your jaw and relax your facial muscles. You can also practice jaw exercises at home to reduce the tension in your mouth muscles.
As your trusted Washington, DC dentist, we look forward to seeing you again soon. As always, we appreciate your patience and consideration. Thank you for helping us keep your family, friends, and neighbors healthy.
