4 Safe Teeth Cleaning Tips for the COVID- 19 Outbreak

COVID-19 has created a huge impact all over the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the COVID-19 outbreak a public health emergency and pandemic.

Maintaining good oral hygiene is still important as oral epithelial cells are highly susceptible to the virus. The virus can infect your lungs and airways, so it’s critical to keep your teeth, mouth, and throat free of infectious pathogens.

Unclean teeth not only causes cavities and gum disease but can also cause other infections and pneumonia.

Here are 4 teeth cleaning tips for safe oral care during the coronavirus outbreak:

1. Wash Your Hands Before Brushing and Flossing

You are recommended not to touch your mouth, nose, and face with unwashed hands, as the virus can spread through your hands. For the safety of you and your family, wash your hands and face thoroughly before brushing and flossing your teeth.

2. Disinfect Your Toothbrush Once a Week

Bacteria, germs, and viruses that cause the flu and cold may stay on your toothbrush. This is why you should disinfect your toothbrush at least once a week. You should not place your toothbrush on a countertop, as cleaning the place can be difficult. You can use a hydrogen peroxide solution, antibacterial mouthwash, or hot water to clean and disinfect your toothbrush.

3. Keep Toothbrush Holders Clean & Germ-free

• Make sure you place your toothbrush in an open container. Putting it in damp and dark places can increase bacteria growth.
• Have an individual holder to place your toothbrush to avoid toothbrush heads touching each other.
• Do not use smallholders or travel containers because it can be difficult to keep them clean.
• Clean and disinfect your toothbrush holders.
• Keep your toothbrush holder and toothbrushes away from the toilet, as flushing the toilet generates aerosols that may stay on your toothbrush.

4. Avoid Sharing Floss or Toothpaste

People infected with coronavirus may develop symptoms 2 to 14 days after contracting the virus. You may not know you are infected with the virus until you develop symptoms, so you could be transmitting the virus. To avoid the cross-infection and prevent the spread of the virus, do not share your toothpaste or floss with others.

Contact or Visit Your Dentist for Dental Care and Advice

To control the spread of the virus, CDC and ADA (American Dental Association) recommended dental clinics and dentists to see only emergency cases and rescheduling non-emergency dental procedures and treatments until the spread of the virus slows down.

However, ignoring dental emergencies are not advisable as they may cause further problems to your oral health. You can visit your dentist for emergency dental concerns such as:

• Infection
• Trauma to the jaw or teeth
• Pain caused by a broken tooth or tooth fracture
• Severe toothache or wisdom tooth pain
• Denture adjustments or repairs
• Swelling of the gums
• Persistent bleeding in your mouth
• Suture removal
• Root canal treatment to address pain
• Gum inflammation around third-molar teeth
• Temporary filling replacement
• Dental restoration

It's important to follow these safety tips while visiting your dentist during the COVID-19 outbreak:

• Make sure your dental office is sanitized and safe to visit.
• Reschedule your dental appointment if you are feeling sick, have a cough, a high fever, flu-like symptoms, or have recently traveled outside of the country.
• Wash your hands with soap for 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer before and after your dental visit.
• Ask your dental office about the steps they follow for infection control and precautions they take to prevent the spread of the virus.

At Smile Arizona Dentistry, we are following all the CDC guidelines to help our patients stay safe during their emergency dental visits. Contact us for more information about scheduling a dental visit during this COVID-19 crisis.