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Taking Care of Teeth When You’re Sick

If you aren’t feeling well, taking care of your teeth may be the last thing on your mind. But taking care of your teeth is always important, and there are some things you can do that will not only keep your mouth healthy but help you to feel a bit better, too. 

  1. Drink a lot of water. This is a great way to flush germs out of your body, fight infection, and keep you hydrated (which is always important), but it can also help to keep your teeth clean. Having a stuffy nose can cause you to breathe through your mouth, which can reduce saliva and make your mouth dry, which increases the risk of cavities.
  2. Use the right medication. Many kinds of cough and cold medicine are sweetened to improve the taste. Too much sugar is never good for teeth – if possible, try to find medicine without it.  
  3. Gargle with salt water. This not only helps to keep teeth clean, but it can also help to get rid of bacteria in your mouth and throat. Dissolve a tablespoon of salt in warm water – it might help a sore throat feel better, too!
  4. Don’t forget to brush! Aim for twice a day, but even brushing once a day will help. It might make you feel more refreshed, too, after days and days in bed.
  5. If you are vomiting, swish with water. It is only natural to want to clean your mouth after vomiting. However, if you brush right away after throwing up, your stomach acid will end up being spread around your mouth, which can damage teeth. It’s better to swish some water (or a mixture of 2 cups of warm water with some baking soda mixed in) immediately after vomiting, and then wait awhile to brush (about 15 to 30 minutes).

Taking care of your teeth is important – even when you are sick. Do what you can when you aren’t feeling well, and keep in mind that Dr. Samuel Jirik and his staff always want to help you to have healthy teeth. Call the Cabot, Arkansas, office at (501) 843-9561 to make an appointment today!

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