Caring For Teeth When You Don’t Feel Your Best

At Brown & Gettings, DDS, we are continuously speaking about the importance of not only your oral health, but your overall health as well. Even when you do all the right things for your body, such as eat a healthy, well balanced diet, exercise regularly, and receive routine oral and medical care, sometimes unhealthy germs make their way into your system and you can become ill. If we have learned anything over the last few years, it is to read the signs of our body and rest when necessary.

Ways to Care for Your Mouth When You’re Sick

While it is important to rest when you are not feeling your best, it is also important to be mindful of your oral health. Caring for your oral health properly can help your body fight off an illness and eliminate the potential for a relapse. We hope that you find these tips helpful:

Maintain Oral Hygiene Routine
We know that when you aren’t feeling your best the last thing you want to do is get out of bed and brush your teeth, but it is extremely important. When you are under the weather, you may be drinking more sugary drinks — or even taking medicines that contain sugar — and eating starchy foods that can leave sugar and harmful bacteria on your teeth. It is important to continue to brush your teeth twice a day.

Replace Toothbrushes
If you or a loved one becomes ill, it is important to replace your toothbrush. Bacteria linger on the brush, and we would hate for anyone in your family to get reinfected.

Fuel and Hydrate Your Body
When you are sick, it is important to drink plenty of water and fluids and to fuel your body with healthy foods when you feel able. Drinking water is important to help prevent dry mouth, which is a common side effect of many medications.

We kindly ask that you reschedule your appointment if you are feeling under the weather. If you are feeling healthy and are concerned about the state of your oral health or it has been longer than six months since your last visit, we encourage you to call our office located in West Chester, OH to schedule an appointment. We wish you health and wellness during the remainder of the fall season and through the upcoming holidays.