Your phone goes everywhere you go, so it’s exposed to all the germs you come in contact with on a daily basis. But when was the last time you actually cleaned your phone’s screen? Doing so is a very good idea, especially during the COVID-19 crisis. One study found them to be dirtier than a bathroom toilet seat, and another found over 11,00 germs in a single square inch of one. In order to keep patients safe, dentists at many practices are using ultraviolet devices to clean patients’ phones prior to their appointments. Keep reading to find out why phones accumulate so many germs and how a safe dentist in Green Bay is using cleaning devices to get rid of them.
How Do Phone Screens Get So Dirty?
Think of all the places you touch. The germs from those surfaces linger on your fingers. When you touch your phone, they move to your phone screen. What’s worse is that your fingers aren’t the only ways germs can get to it. When you bring the screen close to your face, droplets from your mouth and nose can land on it as well.
Phones are also a hotbed for germs because of how frequently we share them. Any time you hand it to someone to take a selfie or share a cool video, their germs move in. Without proper cleaning, these germs can live there for days. There is even some evidence to suggest COVID-19 can too. If you make the mistake of touching your mouth after you touch your phone, you’re putting yourself at risk for a potential infection.
How Your Dentist Can Clean Your Phone
Before your step into the treatment area at your dentist’s office, they may have you place your phone in a device known as a smartbox. It uses ultraviolet light to kill the viruses and bacteria that live your phone’s surface. After a few minutes, you’ll be able to remove your phone from the box and begin your treatment. The light doesn’t damage your phone and has no effects on your skin when used in this way.
How Do You Keep Your Phone Clean At Home?
If you want to keep your phone clean after leaving the dentist, you can buy an ultraviolet sterilizer to use in your home. Additionally, you can:
- Avoid sharing your phone with other people
- Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations to clean your phone screen
- Try not to hold your phone close to your face
- Wash your hands frequently during the day to reduce the transfer of germs from your fingers to the phone’s screen.
When you come in for your next dental visit, you don’t need to leave your phone behind. Procedures like ultraviolet sterilization allow dentists to reduce the amount of germs in their office while making appointments convenient for patients.
About The Author
Dr. Scott Quandt has stayed up to date on the latest advancements in dental technology since he graduated from dental school at Marquette University. He and his team have added 29 new procedures to ensure patients are protected from germs during the COVID-19 crisis. If you’re worried about an issue in your mouth, you can reach out to him at his website or at 920-499-6466.