404-633-1853With the arrival of fall and then winter, the greater the chance that you will develop a cold, or fall victim to the flu. When that happens, you will more than likely want to stay in bed or on the couch, under a pile of blankets and your favorite book or show. The last thing you will feel like doing is getting up and going to a col bathroom to brush your teeth. But even if you are sick, you still need to brush and floss your teeth.
You’ve all heard how important it is to stay hydrated while you are sick. But what you use for hydration matters. Your best bet is water. Tea may make you feel better, and if you decide to warm up with a cup, avoid using sugar or lemon. Sugar can contribute to cavities and lemons contain acid, which can damage your teeth. If you decide to rehydrate with a sports drink, do so in moderation, and be careful since some sports drinks contain sugar. Cough drops and cough syrup can certainly make your recovery easier, but when you buy them, make sure they are sugar-free. You will have those cough drops in your mouth for a while, and some cough syrups contain ingredients that can cause cavities. If you get the flu, you may experience vomiting. That means that the acids in your stomach will be on your teeth. You should rinse your mouth with a mixture of water and baking soda to wash the acid away, and brush your teeth thirty minutes afterward. If you brush your teeth right after you vomit, you will only spread the stomach acid around your mouth.
If you are looking for a dentist for yourself or your family, or if it is just time for your regular cleaning and exam, you should take time out to meet our dentist, Dr. Omar Damji at Executive Park Dentistry. If you live in the Atlanta, Georgia area and would like to schedule an appointment at Executive Park Dentistry, you can call 404-633-1853 to plan your visit.