The best way to protect yourself, your family, and your community from COVID-19 is to practice social distancing. However, you can lower your risk of getting sick from the coronavirus even more by practicing better oral hygiene at home. Our hands and mouths both play a key role in spreading and receiving germs, so proper smile care is essential in quarantine. Try these seven COVID dental tips in Boerne, TX to keep yourself and your smile safe and healthy at home.
1.) Clean Your Hands Before Cleaning Your Teeth
According to both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and mothers around the world, regular handwashing is one of the best ways to stop the spread of germs. Your hands come in close proximity to your nose and mouth when you brush your teeth, so start washing your hands before and after your daily dental routine twice a day.
2.) Make Oral Hygiene a Family Effort
Every member of the family needs to do their part in keeping the household clean, 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 them and replacing them.
3.) Don’t Share Toothbrushes, Especially Now
When you share a toothbrush with someone, you share all their bacteria and germs as well. Since COVID-19 may not present symptoms for several days, you or the person you’re sharing dental devices with may be sick without realizing it. Never share toothbrushes, especially now.
4.) Regularly Sanitize Your Toothbrush
Kill off any lingering germs on your toothbrush by:
- Swirling the bristles in antiseptic mouthwash for 30 seconds.
- Soaking the toothbrush head in vinegar overnight once a week.
5.) Store Your Toothbrush Properly
The bristles on your toothbrush can become a breeding ground for bacteria if you keep it in a dark, enclosed space like a cabinet or with a toothbrush cover. Instead, let it airdry upright in an open space away from other toothbrushes.
6.) Keep Your Toothbrushing Area Clean
To keep your surroundings clean and healthy, try:
- Rinsing off any cups or trays that hold toothbrushes or other dental devices.
- Regularly disinfecting high-traffic surfaces like countertops, sink handles, and doorknobs.
7.) Replace Your Toothbrush After Getting Sick
The American Dental Association recommends replacing your toothbrush after recovering from a sickness like a cold or the flu. This precautionary step may help prevent reinfection once you’ve gotten over being sick.
Oral hygiene has always played a key role in your overall wellbeing. Start incorporating these healthy tips from your Boerne, TX dentist to keep yourself and your smile safe in quarantine!
About the Practice
For over 50 years, our talented dentists at Boerne Dental Center have been helping the smiles of Boerne, TX stay happy and healthy. They firmly believe that preventive dentistry and great oral hygiene at home form the foundation for long-term oral health. In these unusual times, they encourage their patients to practice healthy habits and look forward to welcoming you back to a clean, sterilized office soon. If you have a dental emergency don’t hesitate to contact them via their website or at (830) 249-2045.