Dental tips for back to school in times of Coronavirus
Going back to school always involves some preparation: books, backpacks, new shoes, and a long etcetera. As if that were not enough, this year with the current situation of the Coronavirus, we will also have to take into account some more details to make the back to school as safe as possible for everyone. From Ilzarbe Dental Clinic in Valencia we would like to review some key ideas that we are hearing so much these days, we hope you find it helpful!
What should be included in the famous Protection Kit to take to school?
Of course, all the indications offered by each school must be followed. Generally, the recommended kit consists of a cloth bag or fanny pack containing:
- Masks (there must be at least one spare) and they must be marked so that they are not confused between colleagues, for example, with a marker for clothes. Each mask will have its corresponding cloth bag.
- Tissues.
- Hydroalcoholic gel: Always taking into account the age of the child and the protocols of each school, since they must be supervised by an adult.
Can proper oral hygiene help prevent coronavirus transmission?
More and more scientists are affirming this, since the mouth is the ideal reservoir for viruses and bacteria. Some of the measures that are convenient to follow are:
- Brush your teeth three times a day, and don’t forget your tongue, as it seems to be a reservoir of the virus.
- Hands should be washed before and after brushing.
- Separate the toothbrushes from each other, not piled up in the same jar. In addition, it would be ideal that during this time everyone uses their own toothpaste, or at least, try not to let the toothbrush touch the toothpaste bottle when pouring the toothpaste.
- The use of some rinses containing CPC (Cetylpyridinium Chloride) can help reduce the viral load in the mouth, and therefore hinder its transmission. This component is found in some rinses for both adults and children, but it is important to make sure that it does not contain Chlorhexidine unless prescribed by the dentist.
- Remember that the toothbrush should be changed every 3 months and after having been ill. It is also advisable to disinfect it from time to time, for example, with hydrogen peroxide diluted to 1%, immersing it for 1 minute.
What if they can’t brush their teeth at school this year, what can we do?
Well, we will have to be more demanding with the rest of the brushings at home: after breakfast, after the afternoon snack and at dinner. It is essential to brush at least twice a day. In addition, we can try to make their lunches as healthy as possible and incorporate beneficial foods for the mouth: apples, cheese, strawberries, water… Oral hygiene is always important and this year with the Coronavirus more than ever!
Pediatric Dentist in Ilzarbe Clinic
