While this may be the “most wonderful time of the year” for many reasons, the fact that it’s cold and flu season is not one of them. In fact, the winter months can often be the most difficult to stay healthy because the cool, dry air makes viruses easier to spread. Couple that with more people stuck indoors with dry sinuses that weaken their immune response, and you’ve got a perfect recipe for disaster. Worse yet, these illnesses don’t just affect the body, they can negatively impact the mouth, too. This winter, help your child avoid the dangerous effects that being sick can have on their oral health with these seven tips!
Don’t Stop Brushing & Flossing
Even if your child feels too tired or achy to get out of bed for long, be sure that they’re still brushing and flossing their teeth while they’re sick. While missing a morning here or there probably won’t result in a mouthful of cavities, it is important to be consistent and model good habits to protect their teeth and gums for a lifetime.
Never Share Toothbrushes
You should never share a toothbrush whether you’re sick or healthy; however, it is very important to avoid this activity when someone is ill. Even though toothpaste may be cleaning your teeth, oral bacteria and viruses can be transferred from person to person via oral health implements and can not only spread cold and flu viruses, but also gingivitis and gum disease!
Don’t Touch Your Mouth
Touching your mouth can transfer bacteria on your hands directly into your mouth, where it can easily cause you to get sick if you aren’t already. Thus, be sure to encourage your child to wash their hands thoroughly, use sanitizer if you have it, and avoid touching their mouth or face as much as possible.
Stay Hydrated
Drinking plenty of water in the summer helps protect your child from dehydration due to heat. While that’s definitely not a problem around here during the winter, it is still very easy to become dehydrated due to the dry air. Worse yet, all that coughing and sneezing can rob their bodies of essential moisture. The good news is that staying hydrated is also an excellent way to help them heal during an illness, because it helps keep the body functioning properly so it can fight off the offending infection.
Use Sugar Free Products
Cough drops and liquid medications are an excellent way to soothe sore throats and provide some temporary comfort during an illness, but taking too many of them can put your child’s smile at risk. That’s because many lozenges and cough syrups are made with sticky sugar that coats the teeth and increases their risk of cavities. Thus, look for sugar free products whenever possible, so they can benefit from the soothing effects without endangering their teeth.
Rinse Well
Finally, if your little one’s illness causes them to vomit, make sure that they rinse their mouth very well when they’re done. This not only eliminates that terrible taste in their mouth, but it also clears away dangerous stomach acids that could damage their teeth. While it may seem like a good idea to have them brush their teeth right then, too, it’s important to wait at least 30 minutes after rinsing before you do. That’s because acid temporarily softens tooth enamel, so when you brush it immediately after exposure, you can permanently damage it. Thus, give your child’s teeth about a half hour after rinsing before cleaning with a brush and toothpaste.
Soothe & Comfort
Finally, if you’re looking for an all-natural way to soothe inflamed throats and keep their mouth clean, have your child gargle with warm salt water. This not only feels good, but it also works to combat bad breath and promote faster healing.
Remember, while there’s no way to avoid the cold and flu season, there’s still plenty you can do to protect your child’s smile from it while it’s here. If you have any questions or concerns about their oral health this winter, please reach out to you dentist, and have a safe, healthy, ‘most wonderful time of the year’!
About Our Practice
At Castle Rock Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Benzley and Dr. Sherman want your child maintain a healthy, beautiful smile for a lifetime, no matter what season it is. Don’t neglect their teeth just because it’s winter. If it’s time for their biannual check-up and cleaning, give us a call. While we may not be able to prevent them from getting the cold or flu, we can help protect their teeth and gums all year long. To schedule an appointment, visit our website or call us today at 303-660-5373.