Winter is the time of year when everyone starts sniffling and coughing. Once you've got the flu from them, your dental health may be the last thing you're worried about. However, what you didn't know is that a cold and flu can affect your oral hygiene. This is why we have compiled a few dental health tips to keep your mouth healthy at all times.
Don't Forget to Brush Your Teeth
A cold or flu can be exhausting but don't forget to brush and floss your teeth. Try to summon a little energy to brush your teeth at least twice daily and for at least 2-minutes.
Drink Plenty of Fluids
It is crucial for you to drink plenty of fluids while you're sick because your body requires the extra fluids to counteract the infection. When your nose is blocked, you may even experience dry mouth. When this happens, your mouth becomes vulnerable to gum disease and cavities because saliva is a key player in keeping bacteria at bay.
Use a New Toothbrush
As soon as you start feeling better, it will play to your advantage to toss out your old toothbrush. Since you used it while you were sick, your old toothbrush may have harbored bacteria and therefore, may make you sick again.
Gargle with Warm Salt Water
Here's a great alternative to medications. Add a tablespoon of salt in a glass before adding warm water. Make sure the water isn't too warm and gargle with the water for as long as you feel comfortable and spit it all out.
Gargling with salt water helps to reduce plaque, bad breath and keeps harmful bacteria out of your mouth.
If your cold and flu symptoms start to affect your dental health, call us at (971) 708-1608 to schedule an appointment or to discuss your next plan of action.
Dentist Hillsboro, OR | Dental Blog - Century Dental Hillsboro, OR Jefferson Call, DMD and Dix Densley, DDS believe that the better informed their patients are, the better their decisions about dental care can be. With this blog, they hope to inform and empower our readers in their oral health. - See more Century Dental, 2831 SE Cornelius Pass Rd, Hillsboro, OR 97123 | (971) 708-1608 | centurydentalllc.com | 11/28/2024 | Page Terms:Dentist Hillsboro OR
Winter is the time of year when everyone starts sniffling and coughing. Once you've got the flu from them, your dental health may be the last thing you're worried about. However, what you didn't know is that a cold and flu can affect your oral hygiene. This is why we have compiled a few dental health tips to keep your mouth healthy at all times.