Caring For Oral Health When Sick

Even though we live in Arizona and have mild winters, there are still quite a large number of people who become ill during this season. You may be surprised to learn that it is important to properly care for your oral health, even when you are under the weather. Not caring for your teeth when you are sick can lead to future oral health complications. We want to share some helpful tips to ensure you have a healthy mouth and a healthy body once you are feeling better.

Clean Your Teeth
When you aren’t feeling your best, it can be tempting to lay in bed and not get up to brush and clean your teeth. Even when you are feeling your worst, it is important to maintain your oral hygiene routine. This is especially important if you have been vomiting or are drinking sugary soft drinks or sports drinks.

Replace Your Toothbrush
Did you know that you should replace your toothbrush after you have been sick? Even when you are healthy, your toothbrush is filled with bacteria; however, it isn’t the healthy bacteria that can cause you harm. When you are sick, harmful bacteria take over your toothbrush and can possibly lead to reinfection.

Avoid Touching Your Mouth
You may be surprised to learn how many times you touch your face and your mouth throughout the day. Your mouth is the gateway to the body, and it is easy to transfer bacteria and germs from your hands to your mouth and into your body. This is extremely problematic if you are a nail biter. We suggest breaking this bad habit.

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 Phoenix, AZ to schedule an appointment. We hope you and your loved ones remain healthy this winter season.