There has been a lot of sniffling, sneezing, and coughing. When you are sick, it can be more difficult to maintain your daily routine. You should not allow your cold or flu to become an excuse for neglecting oral hygiene. When you are sick, you should continue to brush and floss your teeth as usual. You can keep yourself on track and on the road to recovery with the following tips:
Brush after every meal.
Maintain a schedule of brushing your teeth following each meal when you are sick. The mouth can be an ideal breeding ground for bacteria. You can prevent the spread of germs and bacteria by being extra vigilant in your brushing routine.
Choose cough drops and lozenges carefully.
There are a number of brands of cough drops and throat lozenges that contain sugar. In fact, many cough drops and lozenges are similar to candy. Candy, particularly those that are sucked for an extended period of time, can cause tooth decay. The bacteria in your mouth consume sugar in order to produce acids that damage your teeth. Look for sugar-free drops and lozenges, or those that do not contain corn syrup and fructose.
Make sure you rinse carefully.
The importance of keeping your mouth clean during vomiting cannot be overstated. It is possible for stomach acid to damage your teeth. If you brush your teeth right away, you will simply rub acids all over them. Instead, rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash and wait at least 20 minutes before brushing.
Drink plenty of water.
The key to a successful recovery is staying hydrated. Drinking water can also help prevent dry mouth. There is a risk of decay and bad breath associated with dry mouth. Drinking water throughout the day is important, as some medications you might be taking to relieve your cold or flu symptoms may dry out your mouth.
Your toothbrush needs to be replaced.
Once you have recovered from your illness, you may wish to consider replacing your toothbrush. Despite the fact that it is unlikely that you will become ill again, you may wish to take precautions just in case. According to the American Dental Association, you should replace your toothbrush every three to four months.
Make it a point to maintain your oral health during times of illness. You may experience a negative impact on your oral health if you take medications or over-the-counter remedies. Keep an eye out for cough drops and throat lozenges that contain sugar, and drink plenty of water to prevent dry mouth. The first step to ensuring the health of your entire body is keeping your mouth healthy.
Please contact our office if you would like more oral health tips or to schedule an appointment.