Cold and flu season is challenging for any parent, especially when it comes to keeping kids healthy. While your primary focus might be on reducing fevers or soothing coughs, it’s equally important to prioritize your child’s oral health during this time. Sickness can have surprising effects on the mouth, leading to dry mouth, an increased risk of cavities, and gum issues. By incorporating some simple strategies into your routine, you can help protect your child’s smile even when they’re feeling under the weather.
Stay Hydrated
Hydration is key to helping your child recover from colds or the flu while maintaining their oral health. When your child’s nose is congested, they may breathe through their mouth, especially while sleeping. Mouth breathing can dry out the oral cavity, reducing saliva production. Since saliva plays a vital role in washing away harmful bacteria and keeping the mouth healthy, a dry mouth increases the risk of cavities and gum issues.
Encourage your child to drink plenty of water throughout the day. This will not only keep them hydrated and help flush out toxins but also ensure their salivary glands stay active. Proper saliva flow is a natural defense against bacteria that can harm their teeth and gums.
Don’t Skip Brushing
When your child is sick, brushing their teeth might not be high on their priority list, but it’s more important than ever. Illness can introduce more bacteria into the mouth, and skipping their oral care routine allows these harmful particles to linger and cause issues like cavities or gum inflammation.
Make brushing a manageable task, even if your child feels too tired to get out of bed. You can assist them by bringing a toothbrush, a glass of water, and a spit cup to their bedside. By keeping their morning and nighttime brushing routines intact, you’ll help remove bacteria and maintain their oral health while they recover.
Replace Their Toothbrush After Illness
Germs can survive on toothbrush bristles long after your child starts feeling better, creating the potential for reinfection. To prevent this, it’s a good idea to replace your child’s toothbrush after they’ve recovered from a cold or the flu. If getting a new toothbrush isn’t immediately possible, sterilize their current one by boiling it for a few minutes to kill lingering germs.
Additionally, make sure to store your child’s toothbrush separately from others in the household to reduce the chance of spreading germs. Allowing them to pick out a new toothbrush can even make the process fun and give them something to look forward to as they feel better.
Rinse After Taking Liquid Medications
Many cold and flu medications, especially liquid ones, contain high levels of sugar to make them taste better. While these medicines are effective in easing symptoms, the sugar can stick to your child’s teeth, increasing the risk of cavities.
After giving your child liquid medicine, encourage them to rinse their mouth with water to wash away any sugary residue. If they’re up for it, brushing their teeth after taking medicine is an even better way to protect their smile. However, rinsing alone can make a significant difference in reducing the risk of tooth decay.
Be Mindful of Comfort Foods
When children are sick, comfort foods like soup, ice cream, and popsicles are often staples. While these can help soothe their symptoms, be cautious of sugary or acidic options that could harm their teeth. For instance, choose sugar-free popsicles or dilute juices with water to minimize sugar exposure. Encourage healthier comfort options, like warm broth-based soups, which are gentle on both their tummy and their teeth.
Maintain Regular Dental Checkups
Even during cold and flu season, it’s important to keep up with your child’s regular dental appointments. A pediatric dentist can identify and address any potential issues, ensuring your child’s smile stays healthy year-round. If your child has been sick recently, inform the dentist so they can offer tailored advice for maintaining oral health during recovery.
All Kids Dental Is The Best Choice For Your Child’s Smile
No parent enjoys seeing their child sick, but taking a proactive approach to oral care during illness can make a big difference. By keeping your child hydrated, ensuring they stick to their brushing routine, replacing toothbrushes after sickness, and rinsing after sugary medications, you’ll help prevent additional health issues and keep their smile bright. Prioritizing oral health not only helps your child feel better faster but also sets the foundation for a lifetime of healthy habits.
If you are searching for the best dental care for your children in Suffolk and the surrounding Virginia neighborhoods, look no further than All Kids Dental. All Kids Dental has the expertise to live up to its name and make all kids feel comfortable and show off healthy smiles. From infant exams, to tooth-colored fillings and sedation dentistry, to creating an individualized dental plan for children with special needs, All Kids Dental can do it all. For pediatric dental expertise, call and schedule a visit with Dr. Joe and Dr. Brett today!
