The world was brought to an abrupt halt when the Covid-19 pandemic made its appearance back in 2020. Everything changed as most of the world was placed under hard lockdowns to prevent the spread of Covid-19, and people had to make drastic adjustments to the things they were doing every day.
One thing that changed in everyone's lives during the lockdown was their eating habits. Most of the restaurants and food outlets were closed, so people had to prepare their meals themselves. This shift caused the eating habits of many people to change, for better and also worse in some cases. The changes in people's eating habits and their food choices also affected their general oral health.
This article is all about the general changes in eating habits for adults in the US during the pandemic and its impact on their teeth and overall oral health.
#1 More Frequent Snacking
According to the 2020 Food and Health Survey, it has been reported that, during the pandemic, more than 40% of adults were snacking more than they usually did. This was due to people having constant access to their fridge and also eating out of boredom - if you are used to being at work all day, barely having enough time to eat, and suddenly have to stay at home and in close proximity to your food supply, you are bound to snack much more than usual.
#2 Less Takeout, More Home-Cooked Meals
With most of the restaurants and food outlets being closed during various levels of lockdown, people had to cook for themselves and their families at home. Some people might have been used to cooking at home seven days a week, three times a day, but this was not the case for everyone. The WHO had also urged people to eat less takeout and make more home-cooked meals using fruits and vegetables instead of foods that are high in sugar and salt.
#3 Conscious Eating
It has been reported that 43% of Americans were following a stricter diet during the pandemic. This may be in an effort to stay healthy during such intimidating times. People have also given intermittent fasting a much larger shot, compared to clean eating which was the number one trend the year before.
#4 Effects of these Changes in Eating Habits on Oral Health
The human body is a very interesting and complex machine. The food you consume can have a massive impact on your general health and dental health. This does not mean that you should only eat vegetables, but keep an eye on how frequently you eat certain products that may compromise your teeth- and gum health. Tooth decay is one of the most common effects that the consumption of a lot of sugars can have on your teeth. A diet that is not very nutritious can cause your mouth tissue to be less resistant to infection. This may contribute to gum disease that can lead to tooth loss in adults.
Turn to a Dentist that Can Improve Your Oral Health
Although Covid-19 has had some adverse effects. The best thing to do is adjust to the new way of living and ensure you still take adequate care of yourself. Contact us today to keep your oral health in the best condition during these unprecedented times!