Oral health has never been so important. Dentist and The Humble Co. Founder, Noel Abdayem, shares his top tips to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, whilst also keeping our oral health in tip top condition as the vulnerable time of not being able to pop to your local dentist hits…
1. Always swap your toothbrush after having the flu
“A toothbrush can house more than 10 million bacteria and that’s why it’s important to change toothbrushes after you’ve had a cold or the flu to prevent reinfection! Use a Humble bamboo toothbrush that has a anti-bacterial handle.”
Top Suggestion: The brand new Humble Replaceable Head Toothbrush (£10,00, www.boots.com) comes with two replaceable heads. Gently brush all surfaces of the teeth, gum and tongue for at least two minutes, at least twice a day. To replace head, gently twist off existing brush head and replace with new.
2. Avoid sharing toothbrushes with loved ones
“Sharing a toothbrush can cause a wide range of hygiene problems. The toothbrush harbours bacteria and food particles, that allows bacteria and viruses to proliferate, which in turn is introduced to your loved one. So share the love outside of the bathroom!”
3. Do not keep your toothbrush in the same pot as someone else’s
“The general recommendation is to avoid storing multiple toothbrushes in one container. If the toothbrushes are in contact with each other, bacteria is more likely to spread.”
4. What ingredients should we be looking out for on packing to keep our oral health in tip top condition?
“Make sure to use a toothbrush with end-rounded tips and use toothpaste that contains fluoride and zinc for an optimal clean!”
Top Suggestion: The Humble Co. have launched Fresh Mint With Fluoride Toothpaste Tablets (£6.00 for 60, www.boots.com) – a convenient and sustainable alternative to toothpaste, created by dentists who care about your oral health as well as the environment. In a time of crisis, let’s do what we can for the planet!
5. Use self-isolation as a time for self-care
It’s a time for us to all look after ourselves and invest a little more time into our self-care routines. Give yourself the VIP treatment with the new Beverly Hills Formula Perfect White Extreme Toothpaste (£5.99, www.superdrug.com) and leave isolation with pearly whites. This toothpaste takes whitening and oral healthcare to the next level by preventing food particles settling on the teeth in the first place, with ingredients of Pentasodium Triphosphate and Isosorbide providing a long-lasting freshness.
6. Give your oral health some TLC whilst self-isolating
“Maintaining good oral health is always important as our oral health plays a crucial part of our systemic body. Use the extra time you might have now and keep the number 2 rule. 2 minutes of brushing with 2 cms of toothpaste on the brush!”
