Dental Problems Raised During The Pandemic, How Come?

It has been a year since we have been in a pandemic situation and many things have changed, from the way we socialize with others, do the outdoor activities, study, meetings, maintain cleanliness, to pay special attention to our own health. Unfortunately, without realizing it, dental problems are increasing during this pandemic. This is evidenced by a survey conducted by GSK Consumer Healthcare in collaboration with research company IPSO which shown that there is an increase in dental and oral problems due to the changes in routine that people make. This happened because people have been doing more of their activities indoors during the pandemic which ultimately increases the consumption of snacks, sugary drinks, and cold food/drinks. Increased consumption of food and drink is bad for oral health, especially enamel damage that the body cannot heal naturally.

This is also supported by a survey conducted by Unilever Indonesia which was published in an article on the website of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia which showed that there had been a decrease in the habit of brushing teeth twice a day during the pandemic compared to the results of the survey in 2018. Then bad habits increased while at home, namely 2 of the 5 adults admit they don't brush their teeth all day, and 7 in 10 avoid going to the dentist. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, people wash their hands twice as often (64%) than they brush their teeth (31%). In addition, since the COVID-19 pandemic, people use hand sanitizers twice as often (52%) than using mouthwash (20%).

There are several things that you can do to maintain oral health during a pandemic:

- Brush your teeth at least 2 times a day (after breakfast and before bed)

- Gargle with mouthwash

- Clean teeth with dental floss

- Reducing consumption of sugary foods and drinks

- Conducting dental care to the dentist

At the beginning of the pandemic, dentists became one of the professions most at risk of being exposed to the Covid-19 virus due to the close contact with patients through the mouth (during dental procedure) and the splash of their saliva in the air. However, nowadays, almost all Dental Clinics have implemented strict health protocols so that people can still get dental care with a safe feeling. Bali Implant Aesthetic (BIA) Dental Clinic implements a good health protocol by requiring all who visit to wash their hands before entering the clinic, change their footwear with clean footwear, and routinely disinfect the room after completing dental procedures with disinfectant and UVC light.

Don’t forget to consult your dental and oral health problems with the best dentist and dental clinics of your choice in Bali. So, are you still hesitant to meet your dentist for dental work?

BIA Dental Center

Jl.Sunset Road No.86A, Seminyak, Badung, Bali, Indonesia 80361

+6282139396161

Source:

Fundrika, Bimo A., 2021. Pandemi Bikin Masalah Kesehatan Gigi Meningkat.

https://www.suara.com/health/2021/03/20/114500/survei-pandemi-bikin-masalah-kesehatan-gigi-meningkat-kenapa (diakses 30/04/2021)

Ministry of Health Republic of Indonesia, 2021. Survey Menunjukkan Kebiasaan Menggosok Gigi Menurun Saat Pandemi Covid-19.

https://www.kemkes.go.id/article/print/21031900002/survey-menunjukkan-kebiasaan-gosok-gigi-menurun-saat-pandemi-covid-19.html