27 January 2024

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Flu and oral health

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"It is important to take care of your oral health all year round, but especially when you are sick", says Dr. Gene Romo on the ADA website, indicating the advice to give to his patients in these winter months when the risk of staying at home with fever and cold is higher.

These are the 5 simple attentions that Dr. Romo suggests giving to patients by encouraging them to adopt them to maintain good oral hygiene even when you are sick.

1)Practice good oral hygiene and more

According to the CDC, the influenza virus can live on moist surfaces for 72 hours. The number one rule is not to share your toothbrush at any time, but especially when you are sick. If the toothbrush is a few months old, it may be useful to replace it at the end of the illness, remembering that, in any case, the toothbrush must be renewed after 3-4 months.

2)Sugar-free syrup and pastilles

When choosing syrup or cough drops, ask the pharmacist to check if the one recommended to you is sugar-free, avoiding ingredients such as fructose or corn syrup. Keeping a sugary syrup in your mouth for a long time, as well as sore throat sweets, increases the risk of tooth decay.

3)Pay attention to the "after" vomiting

Unfortunately, among the effects of some winter infections there is vomiting. Dr.'s advice. Romo is to remind his patients not to brush their teeth right away. "When you vomit - remember - the stomach acids come into contact with the teeth and cover them. Brushing your teeth too quickly risks rubbing the acid over the entire surface of the teeth". Better to rinse with water or a mouthwash to wash away the acid.

4)Drink to avoid dry mouth

When you are sick it is advisable to ingest plenty of liquids, also to prevent dry mouth. Furthermore, medications that can be taken to treat a cold or flu can promote xerostomia. For this reason it is good to recommend drinking lots of water or sucking on sugar-free sweets.

5)Be careful what you drink

It is good to remember that water is always the recommended drink, also to avoid tooth problems. During illness, you are advised to use regenerating drinks in moderation which often contain high doses of sugar. The same attention should be paid to drinks used to "warm up", such as tea. We recommend not using sugar or lemon, or doing so in minimal doses. Rule, concludes the doctor. Romo, which must also apply when the flu has passed.

Source: https://www.ada.org/