If you are feeling under the weather, you whole schedule can be thrown out of whack. Unfortunately, this can lead patients to neglect their oral hygiene routines, and compound the effects of their respective illnesses.
Just as your whole-body wellness suffers, when you are sick, your oral health can be equally affected. When you are sick:
- Your immune system is depleted
- You feel too tired to keep up with your regular routine
- You’re dealing with bacterial build-up in your mouth
Ditch your old oral hygiene tools
Now is the perfect time to replace older, grimy toothbrushes and waterpiks with fresh ones. Remember, old oral hygiene tools can actually harbor dental debris and bacteria, and they can actually keep you sicker longer.
Drink plenty of water
When you’re sick, it is more important than ever to stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of water boosts your overall immune system, and it prompts saliva production. Saliva is your body’s natural tool for neutralizing bacteria and re-mineralizing enamel. Try keeping a water bottle handy throughout the day, and definitely on your nightstand so you can combat dry mouth throughout the night.
Avoid sugary products
Remember that oral bacteria love to feed on sugars and refined carbohydrates. When you are shopping for cough drops or mouth rinses, look for ones that use Xylitol, rather than sugar. If you have an abundance of bacteria in your mouth, you’ll notice that it’s hard to maintain fresh breath, and your mouth feels grimy.
Even the simplest oral hygiene efforts can make a huge difference in how you feel when you’re battling a cold or the flu. As always, our East Plano dentists are happy to give you any additional information or support you may need to safeguard your smile. Give us a call to get started, and to schedule a personal consultation.