COLD AND FLU! INFLUENCE ON TEETH FROM THESE COMMON ISSUES. The season of stuffy noses, persistent coughs, and sore throats. It’s officially cold and flu season. And even though the team at our dental office in HYDERABAD is committed to keeping our patients and neighbours healthy, there are just some things we can’t fix. The …
COLD AND FLU! INFLUENCE ON TEETH FROM THESE COMMON ISSUES.
The season of stuffy noses, persistent coughs, and sore throats. It’s officially cold and flu season. And even though the team at our dental office in HYDERABAD is committed to keeping our patients and neighbours healthy, there are just some things we can’t fix. The common cold is one of them. But while we may not have a cure, we do have some tips on how to keep your teeth healthy as you treat that cough and cold.
Many cough syrups and lozenges do wonders in easing the effects of the common cold. However, their ingredients can be damaging to teeth and oral health. Some of the most popular over-the-counter medicines contain sugar and alcohol — both of which can leave your teeth at risk for decay and damage.
Sugars
Many medicines add sugar to make them taste better so that people can tolerate drinking or suck on them. As bacteria feed on sugars they release an acidic byproduct. This acid wears away the protective layer of tooth enamel and leaves teeth exposed to decay.
Alcohol
Alcohol is known to cause dry mouth. When a mouth is dry, there is not enough saliva to wash away the damaging sugars and acids that lead to tooth decay and cavities.
Ease the Effects
We’re certainly not suggesting that you don’t take any medicine to help you cope with your cold, but there are ways you can reduce the effects of the damaging ingredients found in most cough medicines and cough drops. First, avoid taking medicine after your nightly brushing before bed. This will help keep the sugar and alcohol from hanging around damaging your teeth all night long. Next, try taking the medication with meals. Our mouths produce more saliva as we eat, and that extra surge in saliva will help rinse away any dangerous ingredients. Lastly, consider a pill form of cough medicine to keep the sugars and alcohol away from teeth altogether.
All of us at our vista dental studio hope you can avoid catching a cold or the flu this season. But if you happen to come down with a sickness, follow the tips above to help you feel better and protect your smile at the same time.
