How to Care for Your Smile When You Catch the Cold or Flu

Are you sick with the cold or flu? If so, our Dr. Scott A. Ervin, DDS dental team is so sorry! We encourage you to rest so you can recover quickly. We also encourage you to keep your smile in mind while you’re blowing your nose or wrapping yourself in a blanket. The cold and flu illnesses can affect your smile in a myriad of ways. They can cause toothaches, enamel erosion, bad breath, and more. Because of this, it’s important to take good care of your oral health. You can do so by doing the following things:

–Brush your teeth: Being sick can be extremely tiring and exhausting, but that doesn’t mean you should skip out on brushing your teeth. Plaque and food particles still gather on your teeth when you’re sick, so make sure you brush your chompers for two minutes each time.

–Drink plenty of liquids: If you stay hydrated, you can recover and heal quicker. You can also avoid the dental issue dry mouth. If you’re low on saliva, there is a chance tooth decay can attack your smile, so make sure you drink plenty of water and juice.

–Toss your toothbrush: When you have recovered from your sickness, don’t forget to throw your toothbrush away. This is vital because your toothbrush is infected with bacteria and germs that can attack your immune system once again. So, make sure to throw your brush away.

–Rinse with salt water: Rinsing your mouth with salt water can kill the bacteria in your mouth and improve your breath. So, put a tablespoon of salt in a glass of warm water and swish it in your mouth for one minute.

–Take sugar-free medication: Unfortunately, many cough syrups and medications are doused with sugar to make them more enjoyable. This is unfortunate because the sugar can attack your smile and cause cavities. So, it’s best to stick to taking sugar-free medications.

Taking care of your smile is vital while you’re sick, especially if you want to maintain a top-notch oral health. So, please do your best to use the tips we have provided. For more information, tips, and details about how to have a strong and healthy smile while you are sick in Terrell, Texas, please call our office at 972-563-1670 and schedule an appointment with Dr. Scott Ervin. We look forward to helping you!