Hookah and disease
The oral cavity contains an enormous amount of bacteria and germs. Brushing your teeth doesn't help eliminate them all, especially since bacteria have a "life of their own" in your mouth throughout the day. When you're about to enjoy a thick, aromatic smoke in the evening and pass your hookah pipe to your friends, remember that you're sharing a huge amount of bacteria. Your friends are doing the same. The consequence is increased viral activity. Even if your friends don't include people with colds at the moment, it's possible that you'll wake up in the morning with a runny nose or a fever. It's all about bacteria. Your friend is not affected by them, but your immune system has not coped with them. Of course, this is a special case, and it does not happen after every smoking. But such cases are not uncommon.
Now to the cold, let's add skin diseases like herpes, dermatitis, gum disease, and a host of other ailments that are transmitted in a similar way. Admit it, how often do you use disposable mouth tips at home? Surely few do. But, unfortunately, even disposable mouth tips cannot protect you from the bacteria that provoke such diseases. In this case, only one thing will help - hygiene of the hookah. With proper compliance with hygienic recommendations, the number of viruses will be significantly reduced, and the probability of getting diseases is minimized. In addition, the unpleasant smell from the hookah is eliminated, the hookah base does not collect plaque, and the taste of the smoke will be clean and pleasant.
Hygiene rules to help you enjoy your hookah
Follow the recommendations that will keep the hookah clean. This will not only preserve the taste of the smoke, the quality of the device, but also reduce the risk of disease. Here are the rules that ensure the necessary level of hygiene for the hookah:
- Before each use, it is mandatory to wash the hookah. Particular attention is paid to the shaft, hookah pipe, and shisha tobacco bowl. It is also important to wash the hookah base to eliminate water buildup. It is recommended to use special cleaners and brushes.
- If you consume food, especially greasy food, or that leaves marks on your hands while smoking, be sure to wash your hands. At least wipe them with wet wipes. The hookah pipe and other parts of the hookah should be kept clean.
- You should not smoke hookah if your mouth is full of food. First chew your food, take a couple of sips of water or other drink, and only then smoke the hookah. Do not forget the previous rule.
- Use an individual mouthpiece. If you don't want to use a single disposable mouth tip all the time (although it's a great solution at home), then buy a silicone one. Often friends will say, "Don't you trust us?" It's worth explaining to them that hygiene is important, it will keep you healthy and everyone enjoys smoking. In the end you can say that you're sick and you don't want to infect those around you, so let everyone use a mouthpiece.
- The next rule applies to girls. You don't need to smoke a hookah with your lips painted on. Even if a one-time mouth tip is used, you are still in contact with the main hookah pipe. Therefore, take care to avoid lipstick while smoking.
- If you do smoke without a mouthpiece, your lips should be dry and clean (no greasy food or saliva residue).
- The next rule will be broken by almost everyone. Before passing the hookah pipe, many people wipe the hose of saliva. This is correct, but do this procedure with your hands, which are full of bacteria. Use dry wipes for this purpose.
- Try to convince your friends to do such simple manipulations. It is not just the rules of hygiene, but also etiquette and aesthetics. After all, you smoke hookah not just for the smoke. It creates an atmosphere that you want to keep calm and balanced.
- To sip a thick smoke, it is enough to touch the mouthpiece lightly with your lips, not to "swallow" it by 5 cm.
- Be sure to change the water in the hookah every time you score a new batch of shisha tobacco. The water acts as a filter and a smoke cleaner. The most important thing is to prevent the development of bacteria. Do you want to know what bacteria is in a hookah? Leave the water for 2-3 days, and smell it. A foul odor indicates active reproduction of pathogenic bacteria.
- Try to wash the waterpipe immediately after use, take it apart and let it dry well. Even high quality stainless steel models can develop mold or mildew.
- Remember that moisture is the ideal breeding ground for bacteria. So after rinsing, wipe the parts of the hookah or let it dry. Then it will stay clean.
- If you can't buy special cleaners, use baking soda, lemon juice, hydrogen peroxide and even vinegar. All of these will help eliminate bacteria and get the bad smell out.
These recommendations will ensure the necessary level of hygiene of the hookah at home. It is recommended to replace the parts in time, even if they are suitable and undamaged. The silicone hookah hose should be replaced every 6 months, as well as the silicone shisha bowl. Clay shisha bowl without glaze should be replaced every 2 months, and with glaze - 4 months.
Proper care of the hookah, observance of elementary rules of hygiene allow you to preserve the excellent quality of smoke, aroma and flavor saturation. But most importantly - to preserve your health. Share this article with your friends, let them know how to properly care for your hookah and what hygiene rules should be followed when smoking hookah.