3 Ways to Survive Cold and Flu Season

Cold and flu season comes every year around the holidays and can make it hard for your little one to enjoy it to the fullest. Coughing, sneezing, and wheezing all season long makes it difficult for them to have fun spending time with loved ones or taking a break from work to fill up on seasonal treats. Being sick can also have adverse effects on your child’s smile. To ensure that cold and flu season doesn’t lead to a dental emergency, read on for three tips that will help you and your child keep their smile healthy.

Tip #1: Keep Your Teeth Clean

Though brushing your teeth is always key to preventing oral health problems, it’s arguably even more important during cold and flu season. This is because many cough syrups, cough drops, and other medicines are often full of sugar. This sugar feeds the bacteria that cause cavities. Because of this, taking these medicines can sharply raise your child’s risk of tooth decay.

To avoid cavities, consider taking sugar-free variants of cough drops, cough syrups, and other sugar-filled medicines. Additionally, have your little one rinse their mouth out with water right after they take their medicine. This will help wash away excess sugar. Additionally, if your child is undergoing Invisalign treatment, be sure to have them remove their aligners before they take their medicine. This will help prevent staining as well as medicine from getting trapped behind their aligners.

Tip #2: Stay Hydrated

When your child is congested, they will likely have trouble breathing through their nose. Because of this, they will likely begin to breathe through their mouth. This will cause it to dry out, leading to dry mouth. This raises your risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and several other oral health issues. Have your child stay hydrated and prevent dry mouth by drinking plenty of water throughout the day.

Tip #3: Get Plenty of Rest

Cold and flu season occurs during an exciting time. Your child will likely be excited to participate in holiday festivities, but they might need to take a step back. One of the best ways to recover from a sickness is to get plenty of rest, so encourage them to get plenty of sleep. They should also avoid strenuous activities if possible. The sooner they get over their illness, the less likely they will be to develop oral health issues.

Cold and flu season can have negative effects on both your little one’s overall and your oral health. With the above tips, you can help your child get better sooner and get their smile back on the right track!

About the Practice

Dr. Jeanelle “Nellie” Marchese, Dr. Frank Marchese, and the rest of the skilled, compassionate team at Arbor Dental Care enjoy using their talents in the oral health field to give you a healthy, happy beam. They offer patients in Lisle as well as the surrounding communities prevent oral health problems through preventive treatments, repair damage with restorative treatments, and upgrade their beams with cosmetic procedures. They can also give you tips on helping your child maintain a healthy smile during cold and flu season. Visit Arbor Dental Care’s website or call their office at (630) 969-2310 if you want to learn more about their services or to set up an appointment.