Flu season is right around the corner, which means people will inevitably get sick. Whether you come down with the flu, the common cold, or COVID-19, 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. Jason Schermer, states that “it’s important to take care of your dental health all year, but especially when you’re sick.” Brush With Care The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the flu virus can live on moist surfaces, including toothbrushes, for 72 hours. 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. Schermer says. To avoid this, check the label 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. Schermer 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 teaspoon baking soda) to remove any acids that might be lingering in your mouth and wait 30 minutes.
How to Keep Your Mouth Healthy When You Are Sick THE IMPORTANCE OF ORAL CARE
Keep yourself and your mouth as healthy as you can this flu season!
DON’T GET LOST IN THE RUSH 2 Easy Ways to Manage Stress During the Hectic Holiday Season
The holiday season is also the season of stress. For many people, the weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day are the most stressful weeks of the year, so they fall back on bad habits, like indulging in sugary snacks and neglecting sleep. While stress has many sources, a lot of it comes from feeling overwhelmed with all of the holiday activities. There are family dinners, shopping excursions, home decorating sprees, gift exchanges, office parties, and more. These obligations are mixed in with normal everyday activities, including work, ferrying kids
Give yourself a break. There is no reason to go to every party or partake in every event. Allow yourself to say “no” and take a break when you need it — no questions asked. When you don’t take breaks, you put yourself at risk mentally and physically. Stress can elevate your blood pressure. The American Heart Association reports that heart attacks are 33% more prevalent during December and January than any other time of year. What can you do? Step away from the rush. Find a quiet place to relax and give yourself at least 10 minutes to breathe — literally. Breathing exercises can do wonders to clear your mind during a busy day. Meditation apps like Calm can also help relax and center you.
Elevate your heart rate. Whether you go to the gym or work out at home, making time for exercise is one of the best things you can do during this time of the year. Even better, you can use exercise time to take a break from holiday obligations. Exercise helps you reduce stress, elevate your mood, and manage anger, frustration, and anxiety. But you have to keep up with it. Researchers at Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences found that when you take a break of a few days to a week from exercise, its positive effects begin to diminish. All it takes is 30 minutes to an hour a day, and you’ll be feeling great all season long. The choice of physical activity is up to you — it just takes commitment!
or grandkids around, and running errands. But you can defeat that stress! Here’s what you can do.
2
(440) 483-1003
Made with FlippingBook Online newsletter