Cold and flu season is here, and if you have a little one at home who’s caught a bug, it’s natural to want to do everything you can to help them feel better. Although heating pads and cold water can help them feel comfortable, you don’t want to forget about their dental health.
Bacteria in your kid’s mouth can flourish when they’re sick and cause oral issues like cavities and gum disease. Thankfully, you can prevent problems with these 3 tips for keeping your child’s teeth clean when they’re under the weather!
Tip #1: Have Them Rinse with Salt Water
If your child has been vomiting frequently, you might think that brushing their teeth is the best way to remove harmful materials and rinse the yucky flavor out of their mouth. However, scrubbing their enamel immediately after it’s been exposed to stomach acid can abrade the material, leaving their grin more vulnerable to decay and other types of damage.
You still need to keep their mouth clean, but you can have them rinse with salt water right after nausea instead. Salt acts as a natural disinfectant to kill harmful germs after they’ve been sick without gouging their enamel. Then, after about a half hour, it’s probably safe for them to brush and floss as usual, if they’re feeling up to it.
Tip #2: Replace Their Toothbrush
Under normal circumstances, the American Dental Association recommends replacing toothbrushes every 3 months because the bristles tend to wear down over time and also trap bacteria inside. You wouldn’t want your little one to clean their mouths and reintroduce sick germs they’ve already started healing from!
To prevent a reoccurrence, you can purchase a new toothbrush for your child as soon as they recover. Most stores and pharmacies carry many different options so you can find one in the right size and with fun colors or characters to help lift your kid’s spirits during their at-home dental hygiene routine.
Tip #3: Encourage Them to Drink Water
Many parents offer fizzy sodas or other sugary beverages to assuage stomach ailments, but these attract harmful microbes that can hurt your child’s dental health. Encouraging them to drink plenty of H20 can boost their immunity while preventing dental problems.
Water has a neutral pH balance, so sipping it can prevent acid damage to their enamel if they’ve been ill. Plus, it helps regulate their temperature to reduce fevers and keeps them hydrated so they can better fight off viruses, diseases, and infections.
Meet the Author
Dr. Lily Hoang is passionate about helping kids from 0 to 18 build and maintain happy, healthy smiles. She earned her Master’s in Biomedical Sciences at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, achieved her doctorate at Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, CA, and then gained her pediatric certification at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas. Today, she provides a full menu of services, so whether your child needs basic preventative care or a more complex procedure, she can help. You can request an appointment on the website or call (469) 925-0861.