In recent years we have had to face multiple situations associated with being sick.
Every year, flu or allergy infections come into our lives and confront us with many symptoms that make us feel unwell.
The reality is that during our lives, we are going to have periods in which we are probably not at our best, but our mouth still requires care.
Taking care of our bodies when we are sick is our highest priority. That includes our mouths, too.
When you are sick, you should take care of your mouth because it is the first point of contact with our internal organs.
Here are some ways you can take care of your oral health when you’re not feeling well:
1. Maintain the best possible hygiene
Try to keep your health routine as normal as possible. In this case, trying to brush your teeth two or three times a day and flossing are the most recommended.
According to various studies, viruses can remain on moist surfaces for approximately 72 hours, so the rule of not sharing a toothbrush is crucial in this situation.
If you are overcoming the cold, you can hardly get infected with the use of the brush (unless the immune system is highly compromised).
But if you’ve been using your toothbrush for 3-4 months and you’ve gotten sick, it’s best to throw it away.
2. Hydrate yourself
Some dehydration may occur when you are sick. And it is even more possible if the virus correlates with gastric effects.
3. Dehydration can lead to a dry mouth
This situation is very annoying for patients and creates a space where the risk of cavities increases.
Classic medications for these diseases as antihistamines, decongestants, or analgesics, can also cause dryness. We recommend consuming them with water to help the body hydrate.
We also recommend taking cough drops, throat sweets, or any sugar-free medication to keep saliva flowing and reduce the chance of mouth problems.
Swish and spit. Vomiting or retching may occur when you have a disease that attacks your digestive system,
You may want to wash your mouth immediately to remove your bad taste.
And we understand, but you should wait because stomach acids contact your teeth when vomiting.
If a person washes their teeth too quickly after vomiting, they’ll be rubbing that acid through the outer coating of their teeth.
Our best recommendation is that you swish with water or diluted mouthwash. This will helps to eliminate the acid. Then spit out all this content and wait at least 30 minutes to brush your teeth.
4. Choose suitable liquids
Water is the best option that we can consume when we feel sick. It is always the safest.
You could also drink sports drinks which help replenish electrolytes, but they should be consumed in moderation and never made a habit since they contain a large amount of sugar, which is not the best option for the teeth or the body.
You can also drink hot drinks such as teas, but it is best to avoid sugar and acids to harm our teeth.