Taking care of your body, including your mouth, is your first priority when you have the flu or a cold.
When you’re not feeling well, follow these easy steps to take care of your dental health:
Maintain Proper Hygiene
You are aware that when you cough or sneeze when you are ill, you should cover your mouth. Remember to maintain good dental and toothbrush hygiene.
The flu virus can survive on damp surfaces for 72 hours, according to the Centers for Chronic Disease. The most important rule is to never share a toothbrush, especially when you’re ill.
Additionally, it’s unlikely that you’ll need to replace your toothbrush after getting sick. The likelihood of reinfecting yourself is extremely low unless you have a seriously weakened immune system. However, discard it if you’re still unsure. It’s time to replace your toothbrush anyhow, especially if you’ve had it for three to four months.
Choose Cough Drops Without Sugar
Before picking up a bag at the pharmacy with the intention of avoiding ingredients like fructose or corn syrup, read the label. A lot of cough drops are like sucking on candy because they contain sugar. One of the things that causes cavities is sugar. A sugary cough drop that remains in your mouth for an extended period of time gives cavity-causing bacteria more time to feed on the sugar and create the acid that can erode tooth enamel and lead to cavities and decay.
After throwing up, spit and swish
Vomiting is a regrettable side effect of the stomach flu and other illnesses. Waiting is preferable to brushing your teeth right away, despite your temptation. Your teeth are coated when stomach acids come into contact with them during vomiting. You are simply rubbing that acid all over your teeth’s hard outer shell if you brush too soon.
To help remove the acid, swish with water, a diluted mouthwash, or a solution of water and 1 tsp baking soda. After about 30 minutes, spit and brush.
Drink Plenty of Water to Prevent Dry Mouth
You need a lot of fluids when you’re sick for a variety of reasons. The first is to avoid dry mouth. Dry mouth can increase your risk of cavities in addition to being uncomfortable. Drink lots of water and suck on sugarless cough drops, throat lozenges, or candies to keep your saliva flowing because some medications you may be taking for a cold or flu, like antihistamines, decongestants, or pain relievers, can also dry out your mouth.
Select the Proper Fluids
Water is the safest beverage to consume. Sports drinks may be suggested to help restore electrolytes when you’re ill, but they contain a lot of sugar unless they’re sugar-free, so drink them sparingly and avoid developing a habit of them after you’ve recovered. Something to warm you up might also be in order. You might want something soothing, like tea, to help you get through a cold or the flu. Avoid adding lemon or sugar. Lemon is acidic, and sugar can aid in feeding bacteria that cause cavities. Once you’re feeling 100% again, it’s something to remember.