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The Best Hand Hygiene Tips to Use During COVID-19

July 7, 2020

Filed under: Uncategorized — mysouthridge @ 3:56 am
Lincoln dentist washes their hands during the COVID-19 pandemic

While staying at home as much as possible is the best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19, it’s likely that you’ll need to make a few trips out for essentials. Thankfully, a few simple precautions like practicing social distancing and proper hand hygiene can go a long way in lowering your risk of getting sick. Whether you’re out grocery shopping or self-isolating at home, its important to make sure you’re keeping your hands clean and germ-free. Read on as your Lincoln dentist shares a few of the most important tips to keep in mind throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Right Way to Wash Your Hands

During the COVID-19 pandemic, half-hearted hand hygiene won’t keep you healthy! While handwashing may seem like a simple task, it can’t adequately wash away germs if you’re using the wrong techniques. Each time you wash your hands, remember to follow these five important steps:

  • Wet your hands with running water and apply soap.
  • Rub the soap over every surface of your hands, including between your fingers and the back of your hands.
  • Take several seconds to wash your thumbs, fingertips, and underneath any hand jewelry like rings or watches.
  • After washing for at least 60 seconds, gently rinse off all the soap with running water.
  • Dry your hands completely, preferably with a disposable (paper) towel.

Important Times for Hand Hygiene

We unconsciously touch our faces many times throughout the day, which transfers any germs on our hands. That’s why it’s important to wash your hands at times like:

  • Before leaving the bathroom.
  • Before preparing or eating food.
  • After handling animals, pet food, or garbage.

However, there are even more times you should wash your hands during the COVID-19 pandemic, including:

  • After returning from a public place like the grocery store or pharmacy.
  • Before and after touching high-traffic fixtures like doorknobs, handrails, and shopping carts.
  • Before putting on a face mask and directly after taking one off.

The Best Time to Use Hand Sanitizer

Did you know that hand sanitizer is no more effective at cleaning your hands than handwashing? In fact, health experts say that washing your hands is the preferred method for keeping germs at bay. However, you may not have the opportunity to wash your hands in a public area with frequently touched surfaces. In these cases, you should opt to disinfect your hands with a sanitizer that is at least 60% alcohol. Read the instructions carefully before applying. Typically, you’ll squeeze out a small amount into one palm, then rub it all over both hands for at least 20 seconds.

Now more than ever, its important that we all take the time to ensure our hands are germ-free. These easy yet effective hand hygiene tips can help you stay healthy throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as long afterward!

About the Practice

At South Ridge Dental, excellent hand hygiene has always been one of our many dental safety protocols in Lincoln we use to keep our patients healthy during their appointments. We’re also proud to meet and exceed the ambitious sanitation standards set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As we continue to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic, we encourage all our patients to stay safe by practicing social distancing, regular handwashing, and great oral hygiene. If you have any questions or concerns about taking care of your smile during the pandemic, we can be reached via our website or at (402) 423-1616.

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