National Handwashing Awareness Week is coming up (each 2nd week of December), and clean hands have never mattered more! With the COVID-19 pandemic still impacting all of our daily lives, it is of utmost importance to have excellent hand hygiene to help slow the spread of coronavirus and other infectious diseases.
No matter what time of day it is or what activity you are doing, germs can be all around us at any time. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), having good hand hygiene is an important step in preventing getting sick and spreading germs to others. Germs are easily spread from other people or surfaces, for example when touching your face with unwashed hands, eating or preparing food with unwashed hands, touching unclean surfaces, or blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing into unwashed hands.
Each December, National Handwashing Awareness Week is the perfect time to remind us all how big of an impact hand washing can have on our health. We all know how important keeping your hands clean is, but what exactly are the risks connected with not washing our hands? The CDC reports that proper handwashing with soap and water can prevent 1 in 3 diarrheal illnesses and 1 in 5 respiratory infections, such as a cold or the flu.
Check out these facts and tips for proper handwashing:
The CDC recommends washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (approximately the time it takes to sing the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice), or when unable, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol to clean your hands. Although hand sanitizers can help quickly lower the number of germs on hands, they do not eliminate all types of germs.
So, be sure to keep your hands clean for your health and the health of others!
Feel free to contact Drs. Ali & Ali and the caring team at Wellesley Dental Group if you have any thoughts or concerns; they will be happy to answer your questions! Contact us today at 781-237-9071 or smile@wellesleydentalgroup.com to set up an appointment.
Your little ones and teens are welcome to visit our pediatric dentist, Dr. Derek, and Dr. Emad is happy to help with your TMJ and orthodontic needs. For wisdom teeth extractions or any other oral surgery needs, Dr. Stephens would love to help, and our gum-specialist Dr. Singh can help with your gum-related concerns.
This pandemic has impacted us all, but our community is indeed all stronger together. Our team at WDG always has your safety and health as our top priority, and we have implemented additional safety measures and equipment to help prevent the transmission of all infections, including COVID-19. Wellesley Dental Group has completely reopened since June 8th, 2020 for all dental procedures and cleanings! Thank you for entrusting your health and dental care to us at Wellesley Dental Group.
References:
https://www.snapcomms.com/blog/national-hand-washing-awareness-week