Sydney dentist shares dental hygiene tips to lower the risk of spreading coronavirus
A dentist from Sydney has shared tips to promote good oral hygiene and reduce the spread of coronavirus.
The message from health experts has focused primarily on ensuring good hand hygiene in recent weeks, but dentist Gamer Verdian is keen to encourage the public to practice dental hygiene measures at home too. Washing your hands frequently is vital for reducing the spread of COVID-19, but Mr Verdian also recommends taking steps to minimise spread linked to using your toothbrush.
Toothbrushes, the celebrity dentist explains, can be a breeding ground for bacteria, so it’s beneficial to run the brush head under hot water for 30 seconds before using the brush and to use mouthwash.
Many people rinse their brushes after cleaning, but it’s common to apply toothpaste to the brush before adding water. Mr Verdian recommends adapting the daily oral hygiene routine slightly to accommodate 30 seconds of rinsing with hot water in the morning and evening. He also stressed that washing the hands frequently with soap and water was crucial.
As well as preventing the toothbrush from becoming a potential point of contact, Mr Verdian claims that reducing contact with harmful bacteria improves the chances of the immune system being able to fight a bacterial infection or a virus, such as COVID-19.
Brushing the teeth twice a day for 2 minutes and flossing daily will also help to keep the teeth and gums healthy at a time when many dental practices have suspended routine appointments.
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