When it comes to infection control, dentists are some of the cleanest people out there. They keep their practices as safe and germ-free as possible. But since your dentist is closed for all procedures except emergency treatment due to COVID-19, you won’t be able to get your regular teeth cleaning. Instead, you’ll have to keep your teeth clean at home for the next few months. To help with that, here are some dental health tips to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
1. Wash Your Hands Before Brushing Your Teeth
We already know that the virus is transmitted from touching your face, particularly your nose or mouth. But we often forget that our hands touch our toothbrush, which is then directly placed in our mouths. For this reason, it never hurts to thoroughly scrub your hands clean before attending to your dental health.
2. Disinfect Your Toothbrush Weekly
Here are a few simple ways to rid your toothbrush of germs once a week:
- Run your toothbrush through a full dishwasher cycle
- Boil your toothbrush for five minutes
- Soak both the brush and handle in either a 70% alcohol solution or a mixture of one part household bleach to nine parts water
3. Rinse Brush in Hot Water After Each Use
Hot water is much more efficient at killing germs than cold water. The running water also washes away germs that may have been scrubbed out of your mouth.
4. Disinfect Your Toothbrush Holder
About once a week, run your toothbrush holder through an entire dishwasher cycle. Additionally, make sure to actually place your brush in the brush holder rather than just lying on the countertop, where it can more easily pick up germs. Don’t store your toothbrush in a closed space either, like a travel container or a drawer, as bacteria are more likely to thrive in these environments.
5. Don’t Share Toothpaste or Floss
People can carry the coronavirus for several days before even displaying symptoms. Because of this, you could be transmitting the virus to someone else in your household without even realizing it if you share the same tube of toothpaste or container of floss. You and your family are much better off if everyone has their own dental health supplies.
6. Replace Your Toothbrush If You Get Sick
Even if you catch something other than COVID-19, like a bacterial infection, you should purchase a new toothbrush as soon as you recover. Otherwise, the germs still present on your toothbrush may re-enter your mouth and infect you all over again.
While you’re practicing social distancing by staying at home whenever possible, keep these dental health tips in mind. Not only will your pearly whites stay clean until your dentist reopens, but you can decrease your chances of contracting the virus.
About the Author
Dr. Timothy Ganfield graduated magna cum laude from Temple University with his dental degree. He regularly pursues continuing education opportunities in a variety of aspects of dentistry, including orthodontics and dental implants. He is a strong advocate for preventive care when it comes to dental health, which is why he believes in following the tips described above. To learn more about how to take care of your teeth until the office reopens for cleanings, visit Dr. Ganfield’s website or call (302) 731-4225.