What Getting Sick Means For Your Oral Health

Happy 2022! The start of the new year usually means we are deep into the frigid days of winter here in NJ. Along with the cold weather, winter usually brings upon the dreaded winter illnesses. While we are no stranger to taking precautions to ward off illnesses, we all know that sometimes it is just not possible and you or a loved one may become under the weather. You may be surprised to learn there are precautions that need to be taken with your oral health when you are sick. These precautions are important to ensure you do not reinfect yourself or damage the state of your oral health. Read on to see if you take these simple precautions.

Ways to Help Your Oral Health When Sick

When you are feeling under the weather, your oral health probably is not top on the list of immediate concerns. However, the precautions that you take can greatly decrease the chances of reinfecting yourself and help avoid complications with the state of your future oral health. We recommend:

Maintain Your Oral Hygiene Routine
When not feeling well, it can be difficult to get the energy to do much of anything; however, it is important to be sure to continue to clean your teeth as usual. Be sure to brush thoroughly twice a day, and if you feel up to it, use dental floss as well. This helps to eliminate bacteria that can cause damage to the teeth.

Changing Your Toothbrush
Although we may not like to think about it, some bacteria remain on your toothbrush when it’s not in use. While these bacteria typically are not harmful, it can lead to reinfection following an illness. It is best to change your toothbrush as soon as possible.

Hydrate
Drinking plenty of water will assist in removing lingering bacteria from your mouth, especially if you are using cough drops or drinking a sugary sports drink or soda. Extra water will also assist with the dry mouth you may be experiencing if you are congested.

We kindly ask that you reschedule your appointment if you are feeling under the weather. If you are feeling healthy and are concerned about the state of your oral health or it has been longer than our recommended follow-up time since your last visit, we encourage you to call our office located in Fort Lee, NJ to schedule an appointment. We wish you health and wellness during the winter season!