Our Elmhurst Dentist Helps You Maintain Oral Health This Cold And Flu Season

Written by Dr. Scharfenberg on Oct 1, 2019

A lucky few of us will make it through this winter without contracting the flu or a cold, but, for the rest of us, our Elmhurst dentists have put together this short review on ways to protect your smile when you’re not feeling your best.

When you’re ill, you may notice:

Dehydration

It is very common to become dehydrated when you’re ill, especially if you are vomiting. Keep water handy, and take small sips when you can. Even if you aren’t able to keep anything down, try to gently rinse your mouth out with water throughout the day; this keeps your oral tissues moist, and supports healthy saliva production.

Post-Nasal Drip

When you are dealing with a head cold you may notice that your throat hurts or feels itchy, and that you are experiencing hard-to-treat bad breath: these are all signs of post-nasal drip. When your sinuses are full, mucus will actually trickle down into the back of your throat.

To combat post-nasal drip, make sure that you’re drinking enough water, and rinse your smile regularly. You may benefit from gargling warm salt water to alleviate discomfort. Talk to your doctor if your throat begins to hurt more intensely and acutely, as this could be a sign of strep rather than a common cold.

Vomiting

When you throw up food, whether due to the flu, food poisoning, sickness etc., the acids in your stomach come along. Protect your smile by rinsing your mouth with water, warm salt water, or a medicated oral rinse. Take special care not to brush your teeth for 20 to 30 minutes after vomiting, as your enamel may be softer and more fragile during this period; it’s better to rinse first and brush later.

Don’t let a short-term illness create long-term issues for your smile. Give our Elmhurst dentists a call to learn more and to schedule a personal consultation with our team.