Winter always seems to bring a variety of sniffles, coughs and tummy aches. In the age of COVID-19, we’re all a bit more mindful of what the onset of symptoms might mean.
If someone in your household does fall ill, there are a variety of precautions you can take to safeguard your dental health and reduce your exposure to germs.
How To Protect Your Teeth When Sick
As part of your daily dental care routine, you likely use a variety of tools such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, floss and possibly an oral appliance like a sleep guard or teeth straightener tray. Incorporate the following suggestions to make sure you’re properly cleaning the dental aids that go in your mouth.
Of course, make sure to wash your hands before undertaking any of these steps.
Toothbrushes
– A best practice is to replace your toothbrush or the toothbrush head of an electric device every three months.
– Replace the toothbrush after recovering from an illness, even if it hasn’t been three months.
– Store every toothbrush in a sanitary, dry area away from the toilet to eliminate contact from overspray generated by flushing.
Toothpaste
– Supply everyone in your household with their own tube of toothpaste to avoid cross-contamination.
– Give the sick person a travel-size toothpaste to use while ill. It’s more economical to dispose of after they have recovered.
Floss
– Each household member should also have their own container of floss. Write their names on the packaging to make it easy to identify the owner.
– Dispose of the floss container after the ill person has recovered.
Dental Appliances
– Designate a special toothbrush used only to clean a specific dental appliance.
– If your appliance can be cleaned with toothpaste, brush it, then let the paste sit on the device for five minutes before rinsing.
– Follow directions for other appliances for which toothpaste isn’t a recommended cleaning agent.
What About Going To The Dentist During COVID?
It’s still important to visit your dentist on a regular basis to prevent issues from going untended. Ask questions when making your appointment to understand what precautions are in place, including proper air ventilation and purification, personal protective equipment and social distancing measures.
If you’re looking for a dentist near Joliet that follows all COVID-19 protocols, be sure to call Shorewood Family Dental Care at 815-725-5991 or book an appointment online. We’ve updated our HVAC system and implemented strict guidelines with patient safety in mind.
