Dubai dentists advise how to maintain good oral hygiene during Ramadan amid COVID-19

Dubai dentists advise how to maintain good oral hygiene during Ramadan amid COVID-19

Dubai: Orthodontists and dentists have specially cautioned residents to be mindful or oral hygiene this Ramadan as constant wearing of masks at the workplace can aggravate bacteria build-up in the oral cavity. Dr Sanjay Jyothish, dentist and specialist orthodontist at the Prime Health care Group explained, "When you wear a mask for a long time, the mouth tends to get dry. With both nose and mouth ensconced behind the fabric, people tend to open their mouth more, which results in more dryness. As it is, during Ramadan with the long hours of fasting without water, there is dehydration and the mask triggers more dryness. Saliva in our mouth neutralises the acid but wearing the mask reduces saliva production. Therefore, the Ph level of our oral cavity gets unbalanced. The Ph is the acid balance and our saliva keeps the Ph balance at neutral level of 6. 2-7. 6 in the oral cavity. In the absence of optimal levels of saliva, the PH balance is disrupted, triggering a proliferation of bacteria in our mouth causing poor bad breath, more plaque build-up and gum inflammation." Dr Megan Murray, oral hygienist of the Dental studio, Dubai explained, "Wearing masks constantly has created a