It’s safe to say that most of us are beginning to experience winter weather—or have been dealing with it for some time already this season! And with colder temperatures come bugs and viruses like the common cold, the flu, and others. You might be wondering how to best protect your child from getting sick during the next few weeks and months, but did you know that helping them maintain their dental hygiene is one of the best strategies you can follow? Continue reading to learn a few key tips to keep in mind.
1. Proper Hydration Is Key
Drinking lots of fluids like water is one of the most important things your child should be doing while they’re sick (or to prevent sickness in the first place). It helps to speed up the body’s recovery and flushes away germs and congestion from the body. However, helping them stay hydrated will also directly benefit their oral health, since it increases their saliva flow. Saliva is the body’s chief defense against cavity-causing bacteria, and when there are more germs present in the body due to the cold or flu virus, every advantage is important.
2. Change Their Toothbrush
Toothbrushes often stay moist between uses, which means they’re actually the perfect environment for bacteria and germs to stick around—even long after your child has been sick. Although toothbrushes generally need to be replaced every 3 months, if your little one has been sick recently, toss theirs out and buy them a new one. If your child is still getting over being unwell, be sure to also store their new toothbrush away from other family members’ brushes.
3. Don’t Let Them Neglect Their Routine
Your child might complain or feel unmotivated to maintain their oral hygiene while battling the flu or a nasty cold, but the truth is, neglecting this habit means they’re at a far greater risk of cavities. Plus, if they need multiple days to recover and turn a corner, brushing each of those days can go a long way toward safeguarding their pearly whites. They don’t need to do anything fancy other than brushing and flossing as normal, though gargling with a saltwater rinse never hurts since it can have healing and antiseptic properties.
Of course, your child will also want to practice other good hygiene habits during cold and flu season, including hand-washing, covering their mouth when they cough/sneeze, and resting if they end up with a fever. That said, doing all of this and diligently protecting their teeth can help prevent all kinds of unpleasant illnesses!
About the Practice
Our team here at Simply Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics serves those in Nashua and the surrounding communities. Under the leadership of Dr. Myles Clancy and Dr. Sadaf Mostafavian, we offer a wide range of pediatric dental services for children of all ages, ranging from routine checkups and cleanings to emergency dentistry and everything in between. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to schedule an appointment for your child, please call today or reach out online for more information or assistance. Telephone: (603) 880-5002.