Have you ever been sick, then brushed your teeth and instantly felt a little better? When you have a clean and healthy mouth, you automatically start to feel a little less sick. During cold and flu season, this can be a lifesaver. However, keeping up with your oral health during this time of year involves more than just brushing your teeth. Here are four tips to survive cold and flu season with your dental health in good shape.
1. Stay Hydrated to Prevent Dry Mouth
When you’re sick, it’s crucial that you drink plenty of fluids for many reasons, including avoiding dry mouth. Not only is it annoying, but it increases your risk of developing cavities and gum disease. Cold and flu medications, such as antihistamines and decongestants, can deplete your mouth’s supply of saliva. To combat this, drink plenty of water and chew sugar-free gum to keep your saliva flowing.
2. Drink the Right Fluids
One drink is always better than the rest when it comes to your health: water. You might have heard people recommend sports drinks to replenish electrolytes, but drink them in moderation, as they are usually chock-full of sugar.
You might also want a hot drink to warm you up, like tea. However, try not to add lemon or sugar if you can help it. Lemons are acidic, which can wear down your enamel, and sugar increases your risk for tooth decay.
3. Opt for Sugar-Free Cough Medicine
Before you purchase cold medicine or cough drops, read the label and watch out for ingredients like corn syrup or fructose. Oftentimes these sugars are added for flavor, but sucking on sugary cough drops is like sucking on candy. Choose sugar-free cough medicine if you can, despite the taste.
4. Practice Good Oral Hygiene
You probably already know to cover your mouth when you sneeze and cough. But it’s also important to keep up with your dental hygiene when you’re sick. A good rule of thumb is to never share your toothbrush with anyone, but especially when you’re sick, as it could spread cold and flu germs. It’s also a good idea to throw your toothbrush out as soon as you’re feeling better, especially if you have a compromised immune system. If you don’t, germs on your toothbrush could re-infect you later, making you sick all over again.
Cold and flu season is rough, but keep these tips in mind and you should be able to get through it. When in doubt, you can always ask your dentist for more advice on maintaining your oral health during this time of year.
About the Author
Dr. Dhavalkumar Rana achieved his doctorate in dentistry at the prestigious New York University. He has undergone extensive training in a variety of areas, including dental implants and periodontal therapy. He strongly believes in the power of preventive at-home care to keep cavities and gum disease at bay. He is currently a member of the American Dental Association, the Texas Dental Association, and the Dallas County Dental Association. For more tips on how to take care of your oral health at home, you can contact Dr. Rana’s Mesquite, TX office, TrueCare Dental, at (469) 399-7288.