The cold and flu season is one of the worst times of the year. Many people around you cough and sniffle, and once you get sick, your teeth may not be your top priority.
Having a cold or flu can affect your overall dental health. Even when you are under the weather, you need to take good care of your teeth. Here are some oral health care tips you can take during cold and flu season:
1. Stay hydrated
Having a cold or flu means your body needs extra fluid to combat the infection and heal more quickly. Dry mouth is also common, especially when you have a stuffy nose and you have to breathe through your mouth. Since you lack saliva that helps control cavity-causing bacteria, this problem can increase your risk of gum disease and cavities.
Make sure to stay hydrated and load up on lots of water, juice, soup, and even sports drinks to boost your electrolyte levels. You can also use sugar-free cough drops to help your mouth produce adequate amounts of saliva. But before taking any medicine to prevent dry mouth, it’s best to consult our dentists in Markham.
Our dental team offers various oral care services, and we take pride in our extensive experience. We create personalized dental care plans to help you address your unique needs.
2. Buy only sugar-free cough drops
A cough drop is often effective in alleviating your cold and flu symptoms. However, many of them contain lots of sugar, and putting sugary ingredients in your mouth provides bacteria with a food source. Consuming this medicine frequently can harm your gums and cause tooth decay.
Before buying, be sure to read the ingredients carefully and get a sugar-free variety. You can also look for one with sugar substitutes, such as xylitol or sucralose.
3.Gargle with a mouth rinse
When you’re sick, you often have the urge to throw up. Vomiting involves having your stomach acid come in contact with your teeth, which can damage your tooth enamel and cause tooth erosion.
After you vomit, don’t leave your teeth coated with stomach acid. Wash it away by swishing your mouth with a mouth rinse made of a glass of water and a teaspoon of baking soda. Wait for about 30 minutes before brushing your teeth.
Another mouth rinse you can make to lessen the harmful bacteria in your mouth and throat is a saline solution or a saltwater mouth rinse. To create this, dissolve a tablespoon of saltwater in a glass of warm water. Gargling this will reduce your plaque and bad breath.
4. Replace your toothbrush regularly
Being down with the flu makes you feel weak and exhausted. Although you’re tired, don’t forget to brush your teeth. Consider getting a new toothbrush if it’s been 3-6 months since you have replaced it. You can consult our experienced dentist in Markham to help you choose a quality toothbrush.
Conclusion
Don’t let the cold and flu season hinder you from keeping your teeth healthy. Follow the oral health care tips mentioned in this article and reach out to trusted dentists for your dental problems.
If you’re searching for a reliable dental clinic that specializes in quality dentistry in Markham, book an appointment today. Our multilingual staff offers a wide range of dental services in Ontario, Canada.