Healthy Smiles Premier Dental
When you are sick with a cold, the flu, or an even more serious illness, the last thing you may be thinking about is whether you need to worry about your oral health. But some effort does need to be made to keep your teeth and gums clean because an unhealthy mouth over even a few days, let alone the week or two of a typical cold, can lead to more than cavities or a gum infection. Poor oral health can significantly increase the risk for everything from diabetes to cardiovascular disease.
Feeling Better is the First Step
Helping yourself to feel a bit better is the first step to being able to put your attention on the health of your mouth. The common cold (which is the most common illness in the U.S.) is caused by the rhinovirus and there is no cure for a virus, but you can alleviate symptoms such as congestion, notes WebMD https://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/cold-guide/cold-remedies#1. Drink plenty of hot liquids, hold your head over a pot of hot water to inhale the steam, blow your nose gently while you press your finger over each nostril, and use a saline spray to clear your nose. Cold medications will suppress symptoms and, according to nutritionist Phyllis Balch’s Prescription for Nutritional Healing, traditional remedies such as frequent doses of vitamin C and herbal wellness formulas can boost your immune system to fight back.
Keep Your Oral Health in Top Condition
Whatever the illness, you should make the best effort you can to keep up your oral healthcare ASAP. Change your toothbrush immediately because it can harbor germs of all kinds, wash your mouth out with water and a dentist-approved mouthwash after breakfast and dinner, brush your teeth afterwards, and floss before you go to sleep at night. It is also best to eat lightly when sick so that your body can concentrate on healing, rather than digestion, just as animals do. When you do eat, avoid junk foods and sugary drinks, while eating mostly vegetables, complex carbohydrates like whole seeds, nuts, and grains, and healthy fats and proteins, all of which will give you the energy you need while in recovery.
Illness creates a lot of stress, of course, which can lead to depression and anxiety, and that can impact your immune system, so find ways to reduce it, such as not trying to work from home, but indulging in watching humorous movies or TV episodes, reading novels or fascinating nonfiction, or browsing magazines about places you would like to visit. If you know how to meditate or know someone who will teach you, this is the ultimate way to relax and de-stress.
As soon as your symptoms have subsided, return to your normal oral healthcare program and be sure to visit your dentist in Gardena for a full and free dental exam twice a year so we can catch any problems that may be in early development. We also offer cosmetic dentistry and serve Hawthorne, Lawndale, Torrance, and surrounding areas.
