Experts agree that the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from COVID-19 is to limit your exposure to the virus and practice social distancing. However, you can lower your risk of getting sick even more by improving your at-home oral hygiene during COVID-19. Our hands and mouths both play a key role in spreading and receiving the coronavirus, so it’s essential to keep your smile healthy while at home. Here are seven tips from your Farmington dentist to keep yourself and your smile safe throughout quarantine.
1.) Add Handwashing to Your Dental Routine
Regular handwashing is the best way to prevent the spread of germs. Since your hands come in close proximity to your nose and mouth as you brush and floss your teeth, it’s important to keep them clean. Try washing your hands before and after your daily dental routine.
2.) Make Oral Hygiene a Family Effort
To keep the entire household clean, every family member needs to do their part, including:
- Young children, who may forget to wash their hands and store their toothbrushes properly.
- Those with dentures, who need to wash their hands before removing and replacing them.
3.) Never Share Toothbrushes, Especially Now
Sharing a toothbrush with someone means sharing all their oral bacteria as well. COVID-19 may not cause symptoms for several days, which means you or the person you’re sharing toothbrushes with may be sick and contagious with the coronavirus without realizing it.
4.) Routinely Sanitize Your Toothbrush
You can kill off any lingering germs on your toothbrush bristles by:
- Swirling your toothbrush’s bristles in antiseptic mouthwash for 30 seconds.
- Soaking your toothbrush’s head in vinegar overnight once a week.
5.) Keep Your Toothbrush Clean as You Store It
Your toothbrush bristles can become a breeding ground for bacteria if you store it in a dark, enclosed space like a cabinet or drawer. To keep it clean between uses, let it airdry upright in an open space away from other toothbrushes.
6.) Clean Your Environment Regularly
To keep your surroundings germ-free as you clean your smile, remember to:
- Rinse off any cups or trays that hold toothbrushes and other dental devices.
- Frequently disinfect high-traffic surfaces like countertops, sink handles, and doorknobs.
7.) Use a New Toothbrush After Getting Sick
Dental experts recommend replacing your toothbrush after recovering from a sickness like a cold or the flu. This extra precautionary step could help prevent reinfection once you’ve gotten over being sick.
Oral health has always played an important role in overall wellbeing. Start boosting your at-home oral hygiene with these simple yet effective tips from your Farmington dentist and stay healthy throughout quarantine!
About the Author
At Monet Aesthetic Dentistry, the health of our patients, staff, and the community of Farmington, MI has always been our number one priority. Dr. Leslie Metzger typically demonstrates this with excellent dental treatments that focus on patient comfort. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, she has made the difficult decision to temporarily postpone all non-urgent appointments until further notice. For the best interests of her patients, she is staying up to date on the latest developments on the coronavirus and recommendations set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If you are experiencing a dental emergency, please don’t hesitate to contact her via her website or at (248) 476-3410.