Troy Dentist Helps You Care For Your Smile Even When You Feel Sick

Written by Dr. Bentley on Apr 11, 2020

When you are dealing with a cold, the flu, or sinus infections, it can be difficult to keep up with your dentist-approved oral hygiene plan. However, it is actually vitally important that you prioritize your smile even when you are under the weather. Keep reading to learn more from our Troy dentists

There are a number of secondary oral health issues that often occur concurrently with whole body health problems:

Dry mouth

When you are dehydrated, your body is unable to produce enough saliva to freshen your mouth and re-mineralize dental enamel. A build-up of phlegm and mucus can also leave your mouth feeling stale and grimy.

Increased oral bacteria

If you experience an increase in harmful oral bacteria, you’ll likely find that your breath is more difficult to keep fresh. You may also find that your teeth feel somewhat rough or stucky when you run your tongue across them.

Vomiting

Illnesses that include vomiting put your oral health at risk, because vomit coats your teeth and oral tissues in stomach acid.  

As you recover, the goal of your oral hygiene routine is to keep your smile as clean as possible, and minimize any secondary dental damage that may occur. 

Clear away bacteria and debris

Make sure that you are following all of your dentist’s recommendations when it comes to brushing and flossing your smile. This is also a great time to switch out any old, worn down dental tools with fresh and clean replacements. Although it may seem like brushing more often is the way to go, brushing too frequently, or with abrasive bristles, may actually lead to inadvertent enamel thinning.

Keep your body, and specifically your mouth, hydrated

Rinsing your mouth regularly throughout the day, either with water or a mouth rinse, will help to flush away dental debris and increase saliva production. Keep a water bottle handy, so that you can stay hydrated, and rinse your smile vigorously after eating or getting ill.

Our Troy dentists are here to answer any questions that you may have, and to support you throughout your healing process. Give us a call to get started!