Caring For Your Oral Health When You Are Under the Weather

Since we are in the middle of December, we know that many of our patients are in the thick of their holiday celebrations and plans. Whether you are enjoying traditions with family and friends that you didn’t get to experience last year or you are taking a much needed trip or vacation, the winter sniffles and other illnesses can crop up at any moment. While we hope all of our patients remain healthy during this time, occasional illnesses are always possible. If you should happen to fall ill, there are certain changes that you should be making to help your oral health and help improve your overall health.

Replace Your Toothbrush
Toothbrushes carry a number of bacteria that under normal circumstances are not harmful; however, after an illness, it is possible that you can reinfect yourself from simply brushing your teeth. We recommend replacing your toothbrush immediately when you become ill. We also want to give a gentle reminder to only use your own toothbrush and not share with others.

Clean Your Teeth
When ill, it can be difficult to get out of bed. No matter how bad you feel, it is important to maintain your oral hygiene routine of brushing and cleaning your teeth. When under the weather it is common to sip on a soft drink or use a cough drop and the added sugar can cause damage to your teeth.

Stay Hydrated
It is important to drink plenty of water or other liquids when you don’t feel well. Not only is it beneficial to your overall health, it is the best way to avoid dry mouth. You want to keep the saliva flowing in the mouth to assist with removing harmful bacteria that may build up on the teeth and along the gumline.

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 six months since your last visit, we encourage you to call our office located in Spotswood, NJ to schedule an appointment. We wish you health and wellness during the winter season and we hope you have a very happy new year!