When you’re sick and experiencing flu-like symptoms, many patients rightly focus on what they can do to minimize the discomfort. But it’s important to think about your oral health as well, especially since an illness can take a toll on this aspect of the body. Here’s a rundown of suggestions for oral hygiene while you’re sick so you can avoid an extra trip to the dentist.

Best Oral Health Care Practices When You’re Ill

1. Choose Sugar-Free Lozenges

Cough drops are an effective and easy way to soothe a scratchy throat or a nagging cough, but you should exhibit care in the kind you choose. There are many sugar-filled varieties in the pharmacy, but make sure to grab any sugar-free options that are available. When you suck on a sugary cough drop, it provides food for the germs around your teeth. They then produce acid that creates little holes in your enamel and leads to cavities.

2. Rinse Your Mouth After Vomiting

Frequently, part of getting sick means you might be nauseous or have an upset stomach. Vomiting can be a part of that experience too, and it’s not necessarily harmful on its own. It does, however, bring quantities of stomach acid into your mouth, and if they’re left there, they can erode your enamel. To fight this effect, gurgle with mouth wash or brush your teeth afterward and the acid will wash away.

3. Drink Extra Water

Being sick can leave you dehydrated and with a dry mouth. In addition to helping your illness by restoring fluids to the body, drinking water is also good for oral health. When your mouth is dry, you have less saliva, and food particles and acids are less able to slide off your teeth. When you drink more water, it creates a lot more available liquids, helping to rinse away those bad particles and reducing the chance of cavities in the process.

If you’re experiencing any discomfort in your mouth after an illness, contact Stadler Dental Care in Columbus, NE. With over two decades of experience, Dr. Stadler is available for everything from a dental cleaning to a tooth extraction, and he’s a proud member of the American Dental Association. To make an appointment, call (402) 564-4093. Learn more about the dentist by visiting their website.