Oral Health Tips To Consider When Ill

young red head man feeling ill with a sore throat and flu symptoms, coughing with mouth covered against blue wallTaking care of your smile is a lifelong endeavor, and certainly one that requires much more effort than many individuals are willing to put in. Indeed, your oral health is influenced by a variety of factors, and without staying on top of your preventive dental care, you could soon find yourself facing bigger complications such as infections. Even still, it can become difficult to maintain a consist level of care through sickness and in health, and believe it or not, there are even circumstances when ill that can exacerbate a situation. In today’s blog, your Houston, TX dentist discusses tips to consider for oral protection while ill.

Swish and Spit After Vomiting

It goes without saying that becoming ill is the last thing many people hope for, and unfortunately, we might not be able to control when it occurs. This is because oral bacteria and germs that lead to colds, the flu, and more exist on a microscopic level. In other words, all it takes is one interaction with someone carrying an infection for that illness to be transferred to you.

Another issue that arises when getting sick is the existence of symptoms. You see, there are virtually no illnesses out there that do not have a side effect of some sort, and many symptoms exist for a variety of concerns. One such example includes vomiting.

While nobody wants to endure the effects of vomiting, sometimes it is necessary to help you feel better when ill. What you might not know, however, is that the acidity in bile can actually erode your dental enamel. To avoid this, take care to swish and spit after vomiting. For more information about this tip, contact our team today.

Seek Sugar-Free Cough Syrups

In addition to vomiting, a cough is a common symptom among various illnesses. Indeed, your primary care physician or pediatrician can often prescribe cough syrup to soothe a sore throat, but it is important to be aware of the active ingredients it contains.

You see, many cough syrups contain unnecessary sugars to make the flavor taste better. This can lead to tooth decay, however, as the sugars feed harmful oral bacteria in a situation that already results in sub-par care. To learn more about your options and how our team can help, give our office a call today.

Remember to Stay Hydrated

Finally, probably the most important piece of advice we can offer is to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids. Dehydration is a common side effect of illness, and without necessary nutrients and water, your body does not get the energy it needs to fend off the sickness.

Learn More Today

To learn more about the need for additional oral health care while ill, contact Sue Ellen Richardson, DDS in Houston, TX by calling 713-796-9600 to schedule your next appointment with our team today.