When you are sick, it is easy to let many things fall to the wayside simply because you do not feel like dealing with them. Laundry and dishes can wait, phone calls can be returned, and missed appointments can be made up. However, it is important that you do not allow your oral health to be compromised, despite how bad you feel. Germs inside the mouth can quickly fester and spread, causing your symptoms to last longer than they should and your improvement to decline. In fact, taking the means to keep your mouth clean can actually help speed up your recovery!
Tips for taking care of your oral health while you are sick include:
- Staying hydrated – Water is the absolute best beverage to consume whether you are sick or well. Water has the ability to flush out your system and help rid your body of toxins. When you are sick, water can help to wash germs out of the mouth as well as helping the body to rid itself of infection. It is often tempting to sip on a sports drink throughout the day while being sick because it tastes good. However, it is important to remember that these drinks have a high sugar content. They could be making your oral health worse.
- Read the ingredients on your cough meds – Cough syrups and lozenges can bring great relief to a sore throat or hacking cough, but they can do so at the cost of your oral health. Cough medicines and cough drops taste good so that you will not mind taking them – but the reason they taste good is because they are laden with sugar. Again, limit your consumption of sugar in order to protect your oral health.
- Brush your teeth often – It is quite tempting to rest and sleep the day away while you are sick, but do not forget to brush your teeth and floss.
- Replace your toothbrush – After you have been sick with a cold, flu, strep throat, stomach bug, or any other virus, it is important to replace your toothbrush. Germs can linger on any surface for up to 10 days. Don’t re-infect yourself by using a contaminated toothbrush!
Dr. Kavi Sagunarthy and the entire team at Gold Hill Dentistry hope that you can stay well this cold and flu season. If you or your loved one comes down with an illness, please remember to take care of your oral health.