Why dental hygiene is hugely important in the fight against COVID-19

The following includes excerpts from the Cloud Dentistry article by Nicola Quinn published on June 8, 2020

Not taking care of your oral health can leave you with something a lot worse than bad teeth. From diabetes to cardiovascular disease, neglecting dental hygiene can result in all kinds of dangerous health conditions, including COVID-19. To support the people in your local community, it’s important you understand the connection between the coronavirus and proper oral care. Here’s some information on why dental hygiene is hugely important in the fight against COVID-19.

Neglecting oral care puts patients at risk of COVID-19

The mouth is a window to your overall health. All mouths are teeming with mostly harmless bacteria. But because the mouth is the entry point to the digestive and respiratory tracts, if harmful bacteria is present in the mouth, it can quickly spread to other parts of the body and wreak havoc. When you ignore their oral health, bacteria build-up can cause diseases which stop the body’s immune system from working properly. Without a strong immune system, you are at risk of developing all kinds of illnesses, such as the coronavirus.

There are many steps you can take to protect your teeth and gums while reducing your chances of developing health problems at the same time.

Attend routine checkups

There are plenty of people understandably wary about going to the dentist over fears of contracting COVID-19. But having your teeth properly cleaned and checked over by a trained dental hygienist is the best way to recognize minor symptoms early on before they develop into dangerous health conditions. Our practice is experiencing an influx of patients requesting routine checkups. Please confirm your appointments as soon as possible to reserve your spot as we are performing at half capacity to practice special safety measures.

Limit candy consumption

It’s almost cliche for a dentist to recommend their patients cut down on candy, but this guidance is true now more than ever before. Candy is acidic which can cause a build-up of germ-filled plaque that causes tooth decay. When bacteria enter teeth through cavities and are left untreated, they can work their way into the bloodstream and affect the immune system. You don’t have to avoid candy at all costs. We suggest limiting sugary foods to once per day and brushing your teeth within one hour of consumption to reduce the negative side effects.

Drink more water

Drinking plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated also helps keep plaque and bacteria at bay. Deanna Wallarty, a public health dental hygiene practitioner at the School of Dental Medicine explained to Penn Today that if you don’t like the taste of tap water, you can use filters to remove any bad flavors without removing the fluoride. When someone drinks water with fluoride, it naturally combines with their salvia. This creates a mild fluoride mouthwash which helps maintain good oral health throughout the day and limit the bacteria in the mouth.

Look after your toothbrush

While taking care of teeth is important, it’s just as essential to look after your toothbrush. Bacteria and sickness-causing fungi can live on a toothbrush and cause all kinds of illnesses. To avoid getting sick, everyone should change the head on their electric toothbrush (or their entire toothbrush if using a manual one) at least once every three months. To help keep the bristles properly clean, it’s a good idea to rinse the toothbrush daily with hydrogen peroxide.

Avoid sharing dental products

Because of the coronavirus, people are well-aware how easily germs can be passed on. But there are some things we share with close family members without even thinking about it. If your patients share any oral hygiene products, such as a toothbrush, dental floss or toothpaste, with someone else, they need to stop immediately. Because we’re in the middle of a viral pandemic, it’s wise to avoid sharing anything you handle with your hands before placing in your mouth. Using individual dental products is one of the best ways to stop the transference of germs that cause illnesses like MRSA, herpes and COVID-19.

Thoroughly clean orthodontic appliances

Retainers, mouth guards and clear aligners can all collect bacteria and viruses through regular use. To properly clean them, rinse the appliance in warm or cold water (avoid hot water as it could damage the plastic) and dry thoroughly. Apply a good quality orthodontic appliance cleaner or soak in a mixture of white wine vinegar and cold water for 15 minutes before storing in the holding case.

There’s a lot more to oral care than a Hollywood smile

It’s important you understand your regular checkups are for much more than maintaining a bright white smile. Ensuring your teeth and gums are healthy is one step towards cultivating overall health. At a time like this when staying healthy is at the forefront of everyone’s minds, you can reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19 and many other viruses by maintaining your oral care routine at home, attending regular checkups and making appointments as soon as you think something is wrong.

Want to learn more? Read this article published by USC Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry