Is your son or daughter looking forward to the cooler weather, the leaves changing colors, and the winter holidays? While this is a fun time of year for many families, it’s also a tough time for maintaining oral health. During cold and flu season especially, your child is at a higher risk of problems like tooth decay, gum disease, and oral infections. Use these simple but effective tips to help keep your little one’s smile healthy in case they get sick.
1.) Encourage Them to Keep on Brushing Their Teeth
When your son or daughter is sick, it’s important that they get as much rest as they can. However, make sure that they’re still taking the time to brush their teeth every morning and night! The American Dental Association reports that brushing your child’s teeth while they are sick can help them feel better and more refreshed by removing the buildup of bacteria.
2.) Don’t Ignore Dry Mouth
Most sicknesses cause congestion. Unfortunately, both congestion and the medications that treat it tend to quickly cause dry mouth. Not only is this sensation uncomfortable, but it increases your child’s risk of bacteria buildup and cavities. Make sure your little one drinks plenty of water while they’re sick to protect their teeth and help them recover faster.
3.) Be on the Lookout for Sugary Medicines
When a cold or flu hits, cough syrup and cough drops are usually a must for keeping symptoms under control. Unfortunately, many of the fun-flavored children’s medicines available are brimming with sugar. Since these items stay in your child’s mouth for a long time and coat their teeth with sticky residue, they can quickly cause cavities. Have your little one wash their medicine down with water or try sugarless alternatives to avoid tooth decay.
4.) Gargle with Saltwater
If your son or daughter has a sore throat, gargling with saltwater is a classic home remedy. Mix a teaspoon of salt into a glass of warm water and having your child gurgle it for 30 seconds once a day. The salt will kill bacteria in your child’s mouth and throat, which will help them heal and protect their mouth from infection.
5.) Once They Feel Better, Throw Their Toothbrush Out
According to the CDC, the flu virus can live on damp surfaces like your child’s toothbrush for up to 72 hours. Thankfully, studies show that the risk of reinfection is very low once your son or daughter has recovered from their sickness. However, you can always throw out their old toothbrush and give them a new one just to be safe.
While taking care of your child’s precious smile is important all year around, it’s especially important during cold and flu season. Thankfully, remembering a few simple precautions like the ones above can protect their teeth and help them get better faster.
About the Practice
At Prime Dentistry, we are proud to provide comfortable, quality dental care for the families of Denton and the surrounding communities. We encourage all our patients to come in twice a year for routine dental checkups and preventive care to keep their smiles healthy all year long. We know that cold and flu season can be a busy time of year, which is why we offer evening and weekend appointments to make maintaining your family’s oral health as convenient as possible. To learn more, we can be contacted via our website or at (940) 514-0333.
