When you are feeling under the weather, one things that can always make you feel more like yourself is brushing your teeth!  Your mouth will feel clean and can make you “think” your health is starting to improve!  When you have the cold or the flu, taking care of your body should be top priority—this includes your mouth!  Your dental health should be cared for all year round, but especially when you are sick. Dentist in San Tan Valley AZ

Here are some simple ways to help care for your dental health when you are feeling a bit under the weather:

Practice Good Hygiene

When you are sick, you know that you are supposed to cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze.  But you have to keep up with your dental and toothbrush hygiene as well.  According to the CDC, the flu virus can live on moist surfaces for 72 hours.  One of the number one rules is to not share your toothbrush anytime but ESPECIALLY when you are sick. You don’t have to replace your toothbrush after you’ve been sick unless your immune system is severely compromised.  The chances of reinfecting yourself are very low.  But if you are worried about it, throw it out!  This is especially true if you have been using it for 3-4 months.  It’s time to replace it anyway. #martindental

Choose Sugar-Free Cough Drops

Read labels before picking up a bag of cough drops at the store.  Avoid the ones that contain sugar, this is like sucking on candy.  Sugar is a culprit when it comes to cavities.  The longer you suck on a sugary cough drop, the more cavity-causing bacteria has to feast on that sugar.  This produces the acid that can leave holes in your teeth. Dentist in San Tan Valley AZ

Swish and Spit

One of the unfortunate side effects of the stomach flu is vomiting.  You might be tempted to brush your teeth right away, but it is actually better to wait.  When you vomit, stomach acid is coming in contact with your teeth and coating them. #smilewithconfidence If you brush to soon, you are just rubbing all that acid all over your teeth.