Did you know that illnesses such as a cold or the flu can influence your oral health? When you are sick, you will often be at decreased energy levels. If you are decreased energy levels, one of the first things you will cut out of your life is your oral health care. However, by failing to continue cleaning your mouth out, you put your oral health at further risks associated with an illness.
By improving your oral health care when you are sick, you can help improve recovery time and minimize the effects of many illnesses. Oftentimes when you were throwing up, acids can travel up through your esophagus and cause dental erosion. Thus, it is important to make sure that you’re brushing and flossing your mouth out in order to keep your teeth and gums safe. Also, don’t forget to stay hydrated to lower your risk of dry mouth symptoms.
Due to the fact that contamination can occur to your cleaning utensils, it is important to make sure that you never share your toothbrush while you are sick. Furthermore, you will want to make sure to replace it after your illness is over. Also, be sure to stay sugar-free and avoid products that can increase your risk for further oral health problems while you are ill, including sugars in your diet and hard products that can chip or crack your teeth.
If you would like to know if you require further restorations or treatments for your smile, please schedule an oral exam with our team at our dental office in St. Augustine, Florida, by calling us at 904-201-4304. Elite Smiles Dentistry look forward to taking your smile to its peak. Drs. Steven Freeman, Nisarg Parikh, and Luis Zambrano are here for your oral health!