If you wish to protect yourself as best as possible while you’re sick, don’t forget to care for your teeth and gums. When you are sick, illnesses often present themselves first in your mouth. Prevent or treat ailments such as the cold and flu by keeping your mouth clean at all times.
Even if you have a cold or the flu, you should still brush your teeth twice daily, and floss once daily. Furthermore, use an alternative oral health cleaner for your mouth if you should find yourself vomiting. Avoid brushing after vomiting due to its potential to be too abrasive. As an alternative, try using mouthwash, a water flosser, or sugarless gum.
Treating colds and the flu often depends on staying hydrated. However, do not hydrate with drinks that contain copious amounts of sugar, as the sugars can dehydrate you and contribute to tooth decay. Dry mouth is also a serious issue that can arise when you are sick. Dry mouth will also contribute to dental erosion and slow your recovery time. Precautionary measures that can be taken include avoiding medications or foods that increase your risk for dry mouth.
For the help of a dentist in Kennebunk, Maine, we can be reached at 207-985-7944. Whichever oral health care treatment services you feel would best suit your needs, Dr. Sara Sheikh and our team here at Kennebunk Center for Dentistry are committed to providing you the service you require. We look forward to hearing from you.