Your smile’s health is an important factor to consider when brushing your teeth, consuming meals, and a host of other circumstances. Indeed, your teeth and other structures are integral to oral function, structural stability, and of course, a complete appearance. When it comes to consistent care, however, there may be instances that complicate this process, thus causing health problems overall. In today’s blog, your Leawood, KS dentist takes a look at the complications that can arise when you become ill, and how you can provide the best level of care during this time.
Protecting Your Teeth from Acidity
It goes without saying that nobody enjoys being sick. After all, it hinders your productivity, sleep, and overall, how you feel. Indeed, fatigue, body aches, fever, chills, and more can present when you are ill, and depending on the illness or ailment that troubles you, vomiting is an option as well. With all of this in mind, how well you brush, floss, or rinse with mouthwash may be the farthest factors from your mind. But what if there are instances that require additional attention?
You see, as unenjoyable as it is to be ill, there are certain symptoms of illness that actually negatively influence your smile’s health. For example, vomiting can lead to enamel erosion, thus leaving your teeth susceptible to the effects of bacteria, germs, and more. The reason that this occurs is that the stomach acid contained in bile wears down enamel.
In order to provide the best care for your smile, it is important to understand the need for brushing your teeth following a vomiting incident. Take care to brush with a toothpaste containing fluoride, a naturally-occurring mineral that strengthens your enamel. Additionally, brushing after vomiting is overall good practice, as it rids your mouth of the taste. Give our team a call today to learn more about this process.
Use Appropriate Cough Syrups
Another common symptom of a cold, illness or other related phenomenon includes having a cough. For many, cough syrup is a lifesaver when it comes to managing the headache, body aches, and more that accompany a persistent cough. What you might not initially think about, however, is the type of cough syrup you use.
Cough syrups can contain high amounts of sugar, which are bad for your smile health overall. In cases such as these, it is best to consider options that contain minimal amounts of sugar so as not to place your oral health at a disadvantage.
Drink Plenty of Water
Finally, the biggest piece of advice we can provide is to drink plenty of water. Many people become dehydrated during sickness, and this can lead to dry mouth and a higher chance of infection. Further, water contains fluoride as well, thus maintaining your health in multiple ways.
Schedule Your Appointment
Contact Dreem Dentistry in Leawood, KS by calling 913-681-5500 to learn more about the steps you can take to care for your smile while ill, and schedule your next appointment with our office.
