Due to the state of emergency we are living in, originated by COVID-19 pandemics, it is only possible to get consultations of dental medicine that are urgent or undelayable. Emergency dental medicine at Hospital da Luz To learn how to deal with situations of oral health that may arise, you can contact the dental medicine team at Hospital da Luz. The emergency dentist will make a phone screening and, if necessary, will indicate the need to go to your Hospital da Luz unit, where you will be assisted with all safety conditions. The emergency service of Dental Medicine of Hospital da Luz is functioning and prepared to receive all urgent situations. Special care in patients suspected of COVID-19 or confirmed In patients suspected of COVID-19 or COVID-19 positive, oral hygiene care should be complemented by gargling with povidone-iodine oral solution or hydrogen peroxide; The virus is more sensitive to those solutions than to the conventional gargling with chlorhexidine; During the period of active disease, after brushing your teeth, dip your toothbrush in a solution of sodium hypochlorite (bleach) at 0.05% (0.5 ml of bleach to 1 litre of water), for 30 minutes. Then, rinse well and leave it to dry until the next use; After discharged from hospital, you should switch your toothbrush; During the period of disease or suspect of disease, you should not share the bathroom, personal objects or towels. Besides these specific recommendations, patients suspected of COVID-19 or COVID-19 positive, as everyone else, should maintain a good oral hygiene . General recommendations for a good oral hygiene Brush your teeth 2-3 times a day for approximately 2 minutes; Switch your toothbrush every 3 months; Never share toothbrushes; toothbrushes accumulate bacteria and viruses; Store toothbrushes separately, in the bathroom; Use dental floss or interproximal brush before brushing the teeth, according to the indications of your dentist or hygienist; Use a small amount of toothpaste (the size of a pea) for each brushing; In children, tooth brushing should be started when the first tooth appears, with a 500-1000 ppm fluoride paste; from 6 years on, use a 1450 ppm fluoride paste; up to 8 years old, children will need supervision with teeth brushing and gargling; Maintain a healthy diet, without too much sugars, which in this time of confinement are a temptation; Author : Gabriela Soares Videira Meet the Dentistry team of Hospital da Luz network. Click here for more information and advice from Hospital da Luz about the epidemics by the new coronavirus COVID-19. The content published in the Health Guide is intended for the general public and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace individual medical assessment, diagnosis, or personalized clinical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. The content is produced or reviewed by physicians and other healthcare professionals at Hospital da Luz and is based on the knowledge available at the time of publication or the most recent update, as indicated at the beginning of each item.
