Whether you are aware of it or not, your smile is constantly on the defensive against a barrage of oral health threats and concerns. Indeed, oral bacteria, germs, and other concerns threaten your smile’s health daily, and as such, it is important to take care to provide additional protection and care. This means beginning prevention as early as possible, as well as maintaining regular office visits. In today’s blog, your Overland Park, KS dentist explores the importance of maintaining these practices while ill, and what steps you can take to do so.
A Need for Additional Care
It goes without saying that dental prevention is the name of the game when it comes to your oral health. After all, there are various threats that come into contact with your smile daily, and there are significantly fewer lines of natural defense. As such, it is only natural that we must take additional strides to ensure a healthy grin overall, including through brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash.
When we become sick, however, taking care of our teeth – as well as a variety of other tasks – becomes much more of a chore than it has to be. As a result, we may fall short in terms of quality preventive care during the duration of an illness.
Keep in mind, however, that many symptoms that accompany a disease can also negatively influence your smile’s health, placing it at even more of a disadvantage. For example, vomiting can actually negatively influence your teeth, as the stomach acid contained in bile can erode your protective layer of enamel. In order to avoid this, our team recommends swishing and spitting following an incident of vomiting. Contact our team to learn more about this today.
Making Healthy Medicine Choices
In addition to vomiting, a cough is also a common side effect of a cold, the flu, or other illnesses. In order to soothe the sore throat, your doctor or pediatrician may prescribe cough syrup. Keep in mind, however, that many brands of cough syrup also contain unnecessary sugars and additives that can lead to tooth decay and other bacterial infections. In cases such as these, it may be best to pursue an option with minimal or no sugar. For more information about this process, give our office a call.
Stay Hydrated!
Finally, a great rule of thumb that everyone should follow is to make sure to get plenty of water when ill. Indeed, dehydration is a symptom of many illnesses, and when the mouth becomes dry and your body is dehydrated, the oral cavity becomes a breeding ground for various bacterial concerns.
Learn More Today
Contact Family First Dental in Overland Park, KS by calling 913-381-2600 to learn more about the need for additional preventive steps while ill, and schedule your next appointment with our team today.