4 Flu Season Tips from Your Dentist

It’s December, which means we have officially entered cold and flu season. If you’re susceptible to sickness, then sleepless nights, constant sniffling, and high fevers might be in your future. Fortunately, there are plenty of home remedies you can employ, but they can actually be detrimental to your dental health. A dentist is here with four flu season tips to keep your teeth in great shape this time of year.

1. Drink Plenty of Water

Decongestants are popular ways of relieving cold and flu symptoms. The reason they work so well is that they dry things out in your head. Unfortunately, this also means that they deplete your supply of saliva. Reduced saliva flow means that you are at higher risk for bacterial growth in the mouth, which can lead to gum disease and tooth decay. To prevent dry mouth, sip water frequently throughout the day. Drinking water can also help your body fight off infections!

2. Choose Sugar-Free Medication

Many cough drops, throat lozenges, and liquid cold medications come loaded with sugar to make them more palatable. Since you let cough drops dissolve in your mouth over time, and liquid cold medicine is often sticky, these options leave a sugary residue on your teeth that attracts bacteria. The next time you purchase cold medicine, try and get some of the sugar-free variety. If you can’t find any, then at least brush your teeth after taking it.

3. Use a Straw

Hot tea is a common home remedy for colds and the flu, and for good reason. It can soothe a sore throat and an upset stomach. However, the beverage can also harm your teeth, especially if you sweeten it with sugar or honey. These sweeteners promote tooth decay. Tea can also seriously stain your teeth. To minimize the drink’s contact with the front surfaces of your teeth, sip it through a straw.

4. Wait Half an Hour to Brush

Citrus drinks like orange juice are chock full of vitamin C, which famously helps your body fight colds. However, these beverages come with a significant drawback: they’re highly acidic, which means they soften your tooth enamel. Brushing your teeth immediately after consuming orange juice could actually do more harm than good by damaging the outer layer of your teeth. Your best bet is to drink all of your orange juice in one sitting and then wait at least thirty minutes to brush.  

Follow these tips to stay on top of your dental health during cold and flu season. In general, you’ll want to brush more often, drink lots of water, and toss your toothbrush once you start feeling better so that it can’t re-infect you later.

About the Author

Dr. Ukti Phadnis obtained her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine. She currently practices at West Hartford Dental Group in West Hartford, CT. She works diligently to stay up-to-date on the latest advancements in dentistry so that she can provide the best possible care to her patients. To schedule an appointment with a dentist who cares about educating you about your oral health, click here to visit Dr. Phadnis’ website.