When the COVID-19 pandemic first reached the United States, many people hurried to local supermarkets to buy hand soap and hand sanitizer. Without a doubt, these items can play a pivotal role in keeping you healthy during this pandemic season. Your local dentist also relies on them as part of an overall dental safety protocol strategy. But they are only effective if they are used properly. In this blog post, we provide some useful tips to help you ensure that you derive the greatest possible benefits from your hand cleaning habits.
Proper Handwashing Technique
Simply placing some soap on your hands and then rinsing it off is not enough to rid your hands of bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants. To thoroughly wash your hands, you should:
- Get your hands wet before you apply soap.
- Leather the soap, and rub it around your hands for roughly 20 seconds (about the length of time it takes to sing the ABC song). Do not forget to clean beneath your fingernails.
- Rinse off the soap beneath running water.
- Dry your hands with an air dryer or paper towel. These are safer than a reusable hand towel because such a towel may have microorganisms lingering on it from others who have washed their hands.
When to Wash Your Hands
Now you know how to wash your hands, but it is also vital that you know when you should wash your hands. Washing your hands is recommended:
- After you finish using the bathroom
- After you sneeze, cough, or blow your nose
- After you shake hands
- Both before and after you prepare food
- After you take out the garbage
- After you put your shoes on
- After you come into contact with any high-touch surfaces
- After you get home from any public place
Your diligence about washing your hands might take a toll on your skin. Many people choose to keep some moisturizing lotion next to their hand soap to prevent the irritation that can accompany frequent handwashing.
Tips on Using Hand Sanitizer
Alcohol-based hand sanitizer is not an adequate substitute for soap and water. However, it can be very useful in situations where you do not have access to a sink, such as:
- After you touch elevator buttons or door handles
- After you put gas in your car
- After you touch a shopping cart
To make sure your hand sanitizer is doing its job, use a product that contains 60 – 95% alcohol. Place a bit of it in the palm of your hand, and rub your hands together until the liquid dries completely.
Clean hands can be lifesaving! Use the above tips to protect both yourself and those around you from COVID-19.
About the Author
Dr. Steve Aveni is a general dentist in Plymouth who has been in practice for more than 40 years. He has completed advanced training in numerous areas, including sleep apnea therapy, implant dentistry, and more. He and our team are committed to serving our community even during this time of COVID-19. We have strict safety protocols in place to protect our patients. To learn more about Dr. Aveni, our team, or how we are maintaining a clean and safe dental office, contact us at 508-746-1918.