Flu season is not the only time of year to be concerned, even though some years promise to particularly threatening. Staying healthy and keeping family healthy year around is important to everyone including Dr. Perry Patel, family dentist in Grover Beach. Dr. Patel has assembled a list of 10 ways you can keep your family safe starting with the bathroom sink.

1. Replace your toothbrush. Especially if someone in your house is just getting over the flu, changing out your toothbrush is one of the fastest ways to get the germs and bacteria away from your family’s mouth.

During flu season or anytime a bug is going around, wash your hands more in general, but particularly before brushing your teeth. Warm water and antibacterial soap before you brush your teeth does a lot towards getting rid of the bacteria before you start touching your face.

2. Wash your hands. During flu season or anytime a bug is going around, wash your hands more in general, but particularly before brushing your teeth. Warm water and antibacterial soap before you brush your teeth does a lot towards getting rid of the bacteria before you start touching your face. Washing hands after contact with anything that might be holding bacteria or virus, especially in public places, is a good measure for preventing illness.
3. Rinse your toothbrush well. Your toothbrush can hold untold amounts of bacteria and germs, but as long as you rinse it thoroughly after each use it will be one less thing to worry about.
4. Sterilize your toothbrush. There are several very effective methods of sterilizing your toothbrush, from microwaving it in a little water to swishing it in a small bit of rubbing alcohol. If you do the rubbing alcohol method be sure to rinse it very thoroughly in hot water after.
5. Store toothbrushes separately from each other. Grover Beach dentist, Dr. Patel, warns that toothbrushes touching are the perfect storm for swapping germs. Avoid storing toothbrushes too close together.
6. Keep your counter and sink disinfected. If you think about how often you touch your vanity, sink and faucet before and after washing your hands, you realize the potential for spreading more germs. Do you ever set your toothbrush on the counter? Probably. So keeping your sink and counter disinfected and clean is going to go a long way towards keeping yourself, and your family healthy and flu free.
7. Keep up with the brushing and flossing. A healthy mouth is the first line of defense your body has against the flu, take good care of your mouth and it will take good care of you.
8. Start rinsing. Keeping your mouth clean and healthy starts with a complete oral hygiene routine, and a mouthwash and rinse is an essential part to that routine.
9. Maintain your good habits. This is probably the most important part of keeping your family healthy. Just keep up with good overall hygiene habits, good nutrition and drinking plenty of water and good health is easier to maintain.