When it comes to cold and flu season, many people focus on purchasing the medicines they’ll need if they get sick and taking preventive measures. One thing that called in flu season effects that you may not consider is your smile. This is especially true for growing smiles. To help you and your child keep their smile healthy this cold and flu season, keep reading to learn four helpful tips.
Tip #1: Brush Their Teeth
Go ensuring that your child’s practice is good oral hygiene is always important, it’s arguably even more crucial during cold and flu season. This is because children often struggle to remember to brush their teeth twice per day when they’re sick. This allows plaque, bacteria, and food particles to build up on their pearly whites and raises their risk of tooth decay.
If you’re struggling to get them to go to the bathroom to clean their smile, bring their toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, and a glass of water to their bed. Bring an empty bucket or container as well for them to spit into once they’re done.
Tip #2: Gargle with Salt Water
When we’re sick, bacteria and germs build up in the mouth. Gargling with salt water can help. Have your little one gargle with a salt water mixture once per day to kill harmful germs and bacteria. This can also be beneficial if they have a sore throat. Add half a tablespoon of table salt to eight ounces of warm water and have them gargle and spit until it’s gone.
Tip #3: Drink Plenty of Fluids
Growing up, you likely heard that you should drink plenty of fluids when you’re sick. This can also benefit your smile. If your child breathes through their mouth when they have a stuffy nose, this can cause it to dry out. This raises their risk of oral health problems like gum disease and cavities. Drinking water will help your child keep their mouth moist and will also wash away bacteria.
Tip #4: Change Their Toothbrush
Go toothbrushes should be replaced every three to four months, they should also be replaced once you get over an illness. This is because neglecting to do so puts your little one at risk of reinfecting themself. If you aren’t able to run out to the store to buy them a new toothbrush, you can also boil their existing one in hot water to kill off some of the bacteria.
About the Practice
If you live in the McKinney area and have been on the lookout for a team of dental health professionals who put your comfort and safety first, you’ve come to the right place. At Lake Forest Dental, Dr. Steve Cha and his skilled team take pride in using their skills in the dental health field to give patients the beams of their dreams. They can also give you advice on how to help your child keep their smile healthy during cold and flu season. Call Lake Forest Dental at (972) 529-1800 or visit their website for more information or to schedule an appointment.