The Importance of Oral Care
F lu season is right around the corner, which means people will inevitably get sick. Whether you come down with the sniffles or a fever, one thing is for sure: Taking care of your body should be your No. 1 priority to help you stay healthy. While rest and hydration help, it’s also important to take care of your mouth. An American Dental Association dentist, Dr. Gene Romo, states that “it’s important to take care of your dental health all year, but especially when you’re sick.” Brush With Care The CDC reports that the flu virus can live on moist surfaces for 72 hours, including toothbrushes. After you’ve been sick, you need to be especially mindful. It can be in your best interest to throw your toothbrush away, but if you decide to keep it, you can clean the toothbrush by soaking it in antibacterial mouthwash for a few minutes before future use. Stop the Cough A sore throat and coughing are some of the more prevalent symptoms of the common cold or flu. Cough drops are used to soothe the throat and help reduce coughing, and while they do work, many cough drops contain sugar. “It is like sucking on candy,” Dr. Romo says. To avoid this, check the label How to Keep Your Mouth Healthy When You Are Sick
before you purchase them. Make sure to avoid any ingredients like corn syrup and fructose.
Swish and Spit Nausea and vomiting can be negative side effects of getting sick. Dr. Romo states that “when you vomit, stomach acids are coming in contact with your teeth and coating them.” It’s tempting to brush your teeth right away after you’ve been sick, but doing so could actually rub those acids all over your teeth. Before brushing, rinse your mouth with a diluted mouth rinse (a mixture of water and 1 tsp baking soda) to remove any acids that might be lingering in your mouth and wait 30 minutes.
Keep yourself and your mouth as healthy as you can this flu season!
3 Best Books for Your
Children to Sink Their Teeth Into
W atching your child grow and experience new things is one of the most wonderful parts about being a parent. Yet, many firsts, like a child’s first visit to the dentist, can be scary for them. That’s why it’s so important to talk to them about their first appointment and what it might be like. Reading to your kids is one of the best ways to help them understand the world around them, including dental health and going to the dentist. Here are three books that your child will learn from and love! ‘Brush, Brush, Brush!’ This rhythmic book can help your child get into a groove while brushing their teeth. What’s great about this book is that the words can be sung to the tune of “Do Your Ears Hang Low?” This
helps your child remember proper techniques as they’re dancing along to their new song. The combination of the song and bright illustrations will assure that your child loves this book. “Brush, Brush, Brush!” can be found at Barnes & Noble for $6.95. ‘Going to the Dentist’ Part of the “Usborne First Experiences” series of children’s books, this book follows Jake and Jessie, two children who are going to their very first dentist’s appointment. Alongside colorful illustrations, this story details what a dentist’s appointment is like in an easy-to-understand way. It even shows kids what a cavity is when the dentist discovers a “hole” in one of Jake’s teeth. There are also educational takeaways as the story tells why it’s important to take care of your teeth, along with some ways to keep them healthy. Find “Going to the Dentist” in paperback on Amazon for $4.95. ‘The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist’ Join Sister and Brother Bear as they visit a dentist — Sister’s got a loose tooth and Brother’s found a cavity! This book captures the anxiety a child might feel before a dental visit, as Brother teases Sister about going to the dentist. However, not only does Sister have a wonderful visit with Dr. Bearson, but she also gets a visit from the Tooth Fairy. You can find this book on Amazon in paperback for $4.49 or on Kindle for $4.99.
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