admin Dec 10, 2020

Flu is one of the most hated contagious diseases, which makes you feel dull and lethargic. The irritation caused by a running nose and the distress followed by constant sneezing and coughing up of phlegm adds to the anguish.

There are several ways of keeping the flu germs at bay, including washing hands regularly, using humidifiers to keep your mucus membrane hydrated and staying away from sick colleagues and friends.

However, dentists in Hope Island suggest that oral hygiene is also significantly beneficial in fighting flu. Thus, if you have low immunity and fall sick often during the flu season, then make sure that you follow the recommendations provided below. Here is how optimum dental health can help in combating flu.

Oral Health Is Connected to Overall Well-Being

We all understand the value of oral hygiene as it not only aids in keeping the teeth and gums healthy but also ensures that bacteria from mouth does not enter the bloodstream.

Inflamed gums lead to the growth of bacteria, and these disease-causing micro-organisms can become the cause of ailments of the respiratory tract. So, make sure that your teeth and gums are healthy to avoid cold and flu. Here is what you need to do to avoid common cold and cough.

1. Brush and Floss Without Fail

Whether you are travelling or sleeping over at a friend’s place, make sure that you do not forget to brush twice a day and floss once. It helps in removing the food particles stuck between the teeth and the bacteria lurking in the gaps.

Skipping the routine can make them linger in the mouth for long and make it a breeding ground for germs. Thus, proper brushing and flossing are mandatory to stop the spread of bacteria.

Also, change your toothbrush after every three months and wash it thoroughly after every use. You should try to change your brush after you have been sick as the bacteria could be hiding in the bristles and reinfect you.

So, keep a replacement handy. You can also use a mouthwash for after-meal rinsing prescribed by your dentist to keep your gums and teeth healthy.

 2. Drink A Lot of Water

Dry mouth can cause oral problems. Thus, you must keep drinking water at regular intervals to keep your body hydrated and wash away the build-up of acids produced by food in the mouth.

Also, when you are sick, your mouth becomes dry due to the medication. Saliva alone cannot help to wash off the food and bacteria. You need to drink a lot of water to make it happen.

However, do not include sugary drinks in the routine as the sugar can cover the teeth and cause cavities. Women should drink at least 2L, and men should drink at least 2.5L water in a day to stay healthy and hydrated.

3.Eat A wholesome Diet

The health of your teeth is considerably dependent on your diet, and thus, you must ensure to eat foods that provide the required nutrients and vitamins.

Eating fibre-rich fruits and vegetables should be a priority along with low-fat dairy products like cheese and plain yoghurt. Cheese is beneficial in producing saliva, which helps in maintaining the pH level.

Avoiding candies and potato chips can also help in keeping the teeth healthy as the starchy and sugary items get trapped between the teeth. High sugar intake in the form of sweets and savouries is not only bad for your health but also your teeth.

It can lead to problems like weight gain and high blood sugar levels. So, stick to healthy foods that are good for the entire body.

4. Gargle with Saline Water

Saline water gargles are helpful in removing bacteria and plaque from the mouth. These are also advantageous in curbing throat infections and bad breath.

To make a saline solution, add one tablespoon of salt in a glass filled with warm water. It should not be too hot. Otherwise, you will end up burning your tongue. Make sure it is adequately warm to kill the bacteria.

Stir the solution gently until the salt dissolves completely and then gargle with it. Dentists often recommend saline water rinsing after a tooth extraction or filling of cavities to keep the mouth clear of germs.

5. Stay Away from Sweet Cough Syrups

Most of the times, we resort to cough drops and syrups available over the counter to ease a sore throat or flu symptoms. However, even one spoon of the syrup can make you prone to tooth decay.

Some of the syrups contain fructose and sucrose, which become food for the bacteria in the mouth and lead to the production of acids that are harmful to the tooth enamel.

On the other hand, some of the medicines have high levels of citric acid which imbalance the pH level or include alcohol that contributes to dryness. To reduce the side-effects, you must take medicine along with the meals so that the acids and sugars get removed from the mouth through extra production of saliva.

You can also chew on a sugar-free gum after consuming a syrup or brush your teeth. Opting for a tablet over a sweet syrup can also help in avoiding tooth problems.

Conclusion

Now that you are aware of the role of oral health in fighting flu, it is time to implement the recommendations offered by dentists in Hope Island to stay fit. Also, you must take care of your teeth when you have a cold so that you do not end up with cavities after recovering from flu.