Coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19, is the respiratory disease caused by the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2. The virus has now spread internationally – and is now part of our daily lives in the U.S. The reported symptoms of COVID-19 seem to vary and can even present as asymptomatic. But the most reported symptoms include:

• Fever
• Coughing
• Shortness of breath
• Aches and soreness of the body
  

As the Coronavirus situation continues, it is vital that you take necessary precautions to reduce your chances of exposure. Here are some noteworthy tips, all pulled from the CDC’s resource on COVID-19, to keep you, your family and your community safe!

• Be Aware of Your Risk Level: Not everyone who contracts COVID-19 has the same symptom severity. Some individuals are at a greater risk of getting severely sick from this illness. These people include older adults and people with chronic conditions such as heart disease, lung disease, and diabetes. If you or someone you know is at a higher risk, it is especially important to take steps to prevent exposure of the virus to them, as their recovery can be more extensive and harsher than others. 

• Travel: A lot of international flights are still cancelled. But you can still travel domestically. If you’re planning on traveling to another country and wondering if you should still go, the CDC has created a travel resource to help you. If you are looking at international travel, the World Health Organization (WHO) is keeping up-to-date travel advice here.

• Daily Care + Prevention + Routine: Adding prevention and preparation methods into your daily routine is easy and the most effective thing you can do to limit the risk of exposure to COVID-19 for yourself, your family and community. Make sure to avoid crowds when possible. You are at a much higher risk for contracting COVID-19 when you are around a large amount of people – especially in a closed space (concerts, restaurants, conferences, gym, etc.).

But protecting yourself from exposure to COVID is just one piece of the puzzle. Because the virus is transmitted primarily through direct contact with respiratory droplets – through inhalation or contact with your mouth/nose, your oral health is especially important! Keeping your mouth clean, healthy, and infection-free allows your immune system to stay strong. Here’s what you need to know about keeping your mouth and body healthy in quarantine:

• Immune System Promoting Foods: One of the best things you can do for your oral and overall health during this time is monitoring what you put in your body. Choosing foods that bring you the nutrition you need, build your immune system, and take care of your teeth is key! Fruits, veggies, and nuts are great sources of vitamins and minerals that can build your immune system and your oral health too! Check out our article on foods to boost your immune system for more details.
• Oral Health and Hygiene: Don’t forget about your daily hygiene either. One of the easiest ways to maintain your health is to make sure you brush and floss your teeth daily. But with COVID-19’s ease of transmission, it’s important to take some extra precautions to protect yourself (especially if you live in close proximity with people) and keep your oral hygiene routine hygienic!
• Handling Dental Emergencies During COVID: A lot of people are still staying at home as much as possible, and for a lot of people, that means avoiding the dentist. Teledentistry is a great way to keep up with your dental check-ups without going into the office, but what if you have a dental emergency? Handling a dental emergency, such as a chipped tooth or severe toothache, during the pandemic can be nerve-wracking. But putting off treatment can lead to more pain and cost in the future, and in the short-term lead to infection that can compromise your immune system. So make sure to see your dentist as soon as possible to help with severe dental issues, and do everything you can to manage dental emergencies at home.

COVID-19 might be here to stay for a while, but there’s plenty of things you can do to protect yourself and the people close to you while minimizing the disruption to your daily life – and good oral health and hygiene is a big part of it. To help, we are offering a FREE month of dental insurance coverage if you purchase a dental plan – check it out below!