Mothers around the world and the CDC have both endorsed regular handwashing as a key component of staying healthy. Regular handwashing is important for preventing sicknesses like the common cold and the flu, and keeping germs at bay is more important now than ever. Whether you’re at home or out practicing social distancing, everyone should be utilizing excellent hand hygiene. Your Lovell dentist shares a few key tips for keeping your hands clean and germ-free during the COVID-19 pandemic.
5 Simple Steps to Great Handwashing
Half-hearted hand hygiene won’t cut it during the COVID-19 pandemic. Even though washing your hands may seem like a simple task, using the wrong techniques can allow dangerous particles to linger. Keep these five simple yet effective steps in mind every time you wash your hands:
- Wet your hands with running water and apply soap.
- Wash every surface of your hands, including the back of your hands and between your fingers.
- Take several seconds to wash your thumbs, fingertips, and underneath any hand jewelry.
- After washing for 60 seconds, gently rinse off all the soap with running water.
- Dry your hands completely, preferably with a disposable (paper) towel.
Important Times to Wash Your Hands
There are numerous opportunities throughout the day for germs and bacteria to accumulate on our hands. That’s why you should always wash them at times like:
- Before preparing or eating food.
- Before leaving the bathroom.
- After handling animals, pet food, or garbage.
However, there are several other important times you should wash your hands during the COVID-19 pandemic, including:
- After returning from a public place like the grocery store or gas station.
- Directly after sneezing, coughing, or blowing your nose.
- Before touching your face, especially your mouth, nose, or eyes.
The Best Time to Use Hand Sanitizer
According to health experts, handwashing is a more thorough and effective way of cleaning your hands than using hand sanitizer. However, washing your hands may not be an option if you’re out in public places with frequently touched fixtures like doorknobs or handrails. In these cases, a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol is a useful alternative for keeping germs at bay. Always read the instructions on the label to use it correctly. Typically, you’ll apply a small pool in the center of one palm, then rub it all over your hands for at least 20 seconds.
Hand hygiene has always been a key dental safety protocol in Lovell. Follow these simple yet important tips to keep your hands clean and germ-free all throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as long after!
About the Practice
At Lovell Dental, the wellbeing of our patients, staff, and community are our utmost priorities. Now and always we continue to meet and exceed the sanitation standards set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Additionally, we have added 14 more infection control protocols to keep our practice as safe and clean as possible. These extra precautions help us keep you healthy as we provide the dental care you need. If you’d like to learn more about our Commitment to Safety, we can be contacted via our website or at (307) 548-7654.