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Info Right now there is a lot of focus on maintaining good hygiene so that we do not get sick. Good hygiene includes how we clean ourselves, and what we do and do not touch. Here's some information about staying healthy and making sure we do not go too far in staying germ-free.

 

As the temperature turns cooler, the chances of getting ill get higher during the annual flu season. We are constantly reminded to practice good hygiene, keeping our homes clean and free from germs.

Most people get colds or flu from touching something with germs, and then putting their fingers in their mouths, eating with dirty hands or even from rubbing their eyes. Our mouths have natural defenses against germs in the saliva, but the eyes do not have the same protection. So itˇ¦s easier to spread germs through rubbing our eyes than through the mouth.

It is important to wash our hands before and after eating, or after touching anything dirty. Recent research shows we should wash our hands at least 10 times a day. Also, avoid rubbing your eyes.

But how clean do we need to be? Can we actually be too worried about cleanliness?

It is good for us to be exposed to some dirt in our lives, in order for our bodies to learn what the germs are and how to fight them. If we never have any germs on us, our body never learns how to fight them off. So if we do get sick in the future, our body will not be ready to keep us healthy.

 
 

What is the dirtiest thing in your home? You'd probably guess it's the toilet. HowToCleanStuff.net has a list of the Top 10 dirtiest things that will surprise you.

So your toothbrush has more germs than a doorknob or your toilet!!! Luckily, the website gives tips for how to clean these 10 dirty things.

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Acknowledgements
Divya Hiranandani, Arjun Sayathamurthi and Anjali Saran for recording the story. Fusion Comics for providing photos.
Mouth Hygiene

Dr. Leo Yu has been working as a dentist in Tsuen Wan for 26 years. He works with mouths and saliva all day! Leo has four top tips for keeping your mouth and teeth clean.

  1. Brush your teeth after drinking coke. The bubbles and sugar are really bad for your teeth.
  2. Don't eat cookies. Cookies and milk are even worse. The food will stick to your teeth.
  3. Eat more fruit and vegetables. They help clean your teeth, especially apples.
  4. Floss your teeth once a day.

Leo has been giving his patients this advice for years. ˇ§Most of my patients eat fruit and vegetables but few of them floss their teeth,ˇ¨ he admits. ˇ§Flossing stops tooth decay. I make my son and daughter floss every night. It's a habit which all young people should have if they want to avoid coming to see me!!!ˇ¨