Simple Oral Hygiene Could Help Reduce COVID-19 Severity

It is a well-known fact that simple oral hygiene measures could help lower the risk of transmission of Covid-19. During this COVID-19 pandemic, our goal is for everyone to stay healthy. Practice social distancing. Wash your hands. Limit the spread of the virus. Remember to keep up with your dental health too! Dental health impact your immune system. Poor oral health leads to the accumulation of various microbes especially bacteria in the mouth. Due to this the immune system works hard to fight off the bacteria and will be overstrained if some other disease happens in the body.

Maintaining good oral hygiene is crucial for a good immune system. The research, published in the Journal of Oral Medicine and Dental Research, shows that there is emerging evidence that specific ingredients of some widely available and inexpensive mouthwash products are highly effective at inactivating the Covid-19 virus. Simple measures such as careful toothbrushing to reduce plaque build-up, along with specific mouthwashes, or even salt water rinsing to reduce gingival inflammation could help decrease the viral concentration in saliva. Effective oral health care can help to reduce Covid-10 severity.

Here are some simple and effective tips and tricks for you to keep on top of your oral hygiene at home:

• Use mouthwash daily. Brushing cleans only 25% of your mouth, germs may leave behind even after you brush. Use mouthwash to kill the leftover germs that may cause infections, bad breath, and even plaque.

• The Covid-19 virus mostly stays in the upper respiratory tract (nose and mouth). It is easy to dislodge the virus through gargling and nasal irrigation by saltwater.

• Brush your teeth for two minutes with proper technique and use fluoride toothpaste.

• Always replace your toothbrush after a cold or other illness to prevent contamination. If you or someone in your family is sick, that person should use a different tube of toothpaste to prevent spreading germs.

For more information, please call Aleris Salem Dental Center at (855) 745-0055 or contact us online. Schedule your consultation with the best dentists in Salem, MA!