To enhance your smile and continue to take care of your mouth as needed, it is important to make sure you are taking the necessary steps to produce saliva. This is because saliva can help wash away food debris, neutralize harmful acids, and fight disease in the mouth. However, individuals often begin to neglect their oral health if they get sick. Compounded by the fact that numerous medications produce dry mouth as a side effect, you will have less saliva in your mouth and it will even be more vulnerable to damage.
If you’re stricken with a cold or the flu, always remember to stay hydrated. Not only is this good for your physical health but it’s also beneficial for your oral health. To avoid the risk of less saliva in your mouth, use mouthwash and sugarless chewing gum, which has been proven to help increase saliva. In addition, although numerous forms of treatment including cough drops and medication may seem to be helpful, be aware of added sugars, as they can do further damage to your teeth and gums.
If you find yourself getting sick, you may end up vomiting. Unfortunately, when you vomit, stomach acids travel up through your esophagus and into your mouth. These acids are capable of eating through tooth enamel and causing dental erosion and cavities. As mentioned above, try chewing sugarless gum or use any product that can help stimulate the production of saliva. to help combat these effects. In addition, avoid contaminating your mouth by using anyone else’s oral health care implements. Similarly, do not store your toothbrush in an area where your brush head can become contaminated.
The best smiles are made possible with extra attention to oral health care during cold and flu season. To upgrade your smile, you are welcome to schedule a visit with our dentist in Bartlett, Illinois. If you would like to meet with Dr. Mark Prosniewski and our team at The Bartlett Dental Station, contact our dentist office at 630-837-2779.