661-746-6989It’s that time of the year. You get your flu shot, stay warm, practice good hygiene…and get sick anyway. It happens, especially during the colder months. Even if you are down for the count with a case of the flu or just a common cold, you still need to take care of your teeth. That means brushing and flossing, even if you have buried yourself under of pile of blankets with nothing but your eyes and the remote poking out.
But, getting up and brushing your teeth is still important. It is important for the obvious reason, namely good oral health, but some people have found that the act of cleaning their teeth and mouth can make them feel better on a bilious day. Besides braving a cold bathroom, you should also keep an eye on your sugar intake. If you need cough drops or cough syrup, make sure you stock up on the sugar-free varieties before the bug hits. Cough medications tend to linger in your mouth longer, which means a greater chance for any sugary ingredients to contribute to tooth decay.
Dry mouth can be a problem when you are sick, and it comes with dental problems of its own. So, stay hydrated. If you want to have some tea, leave out the sugar, and for that matter the lemon, since citric acid can harm teeth. But if you do take a little lemon with your tea, brush your teeth thirty minutes later.
Speaking of brushing, its common knowledge that with the flu, what goes down may well come back up. No one likes to talk about it, but vomiting can be a part of being sick. Should it happen to you, rinse your mouth out with warm water, and then brush your teeth about thirty minutes later. This will give your saliva time to deal with the acids associated with vomiting.
As long as we are on the subject of health, when was the last time you were in for a routine cleaning and exam? If it has been a while since you have seen the dentist, Dr. Olivia Park has a chair for you! If you live in the Shafter, California area and would like to make an appointment at Adept Dental Shafter, call 661-746-6989 today and plan your visit. As soon as you feel better, of course.