The winter months coincide with cold and flu season, and parents everywhere know caring for a sick child can be a lot to handle. While it’s important to prevent and treat coughing, sneezing, itchy throats, and fevers, it’s also crucial to make sure your child’s teeth are taken care of. Here are a few tips to help you make sure your family’s oral health stays in top shape throughout cold and flu season.
Make Sure Your Child Stays on Top of Their Oral Hygiene.
Tooth decay doesn’t take sick days, so neither can your family’s oral hygiene. While it can be easy to blow off the little things that need to be done when somebody’s sick, it’s important to make sure that your child’s dental care isn’t one of them. Even if the kid isn’t feeling great, it’s still important that they keep up with:
- Brushing their teeth with fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day.
- Flossing at least once a day.
- If your child is over six, rinsing with antibacterial mouthwash.
It’s important that children know to never share their toothbrush with anyone. A cold virus can remain infectious on a surface for up to 24 hours, and a flu virus can last for up to 48 hours. This gives germs plenty of time to travel between two people who are using the same toothbrush. Be sure children always wash their hands after practicing oral hygiene, especially if they are sick.
Stick With Sugar-Free Cough Drops
Cough drops can be a great way to get a little relief if you have a nasty cough or a scratchy throat, but they are often high in sugar. Like hard candy, they are designed to dissolve in the mouth, and this gives them plenty of time to coat your child’s teeth in cavity-causing sugary residue. When you’re looking for cough drops at the store, opt for sugar-free varieties.
Have Your Child Rinse Their Mouth After Vomiting
Vomiting is a common thing for sick people to do. Unfortunately, it coats your teeth with stomach acid, and while it can be tempting to brush your teeth immediately afterward, this can actually harm your smile. Since acid weakens your teeth, brushing after vomiting before your teeth have had a chance to recover can wear away your enamel. Instead, have your child rinse their mouth out with water, or a solution of water with one teaspoon of baking soda. Have your child wait at least a half-hour after vomiting before brushing their teeth.
Keeping your child healthy during cold and flu season can be a daunting task, but it’s equally important to preserve their dental health. This way, you can avoid dental emergencies and keep your child’s teeth in great shape for a lifetime.
About the Author
Dr. Ryne S. Paulson earned his dental doctorate from Creighton University in Omaha, NE before serving a two-year residency in Hawaii. His office in Casper, WY offers pediatric, preventive, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry. For more information on keeping your child’s teeth healthy during cold and flu season, contact his office online or dial (307) 266-1997.