Winter is upon us, which means we’re officially in the thick of cold and flu season. Throughout the year, the average adult will get two to four colds, while the average child gets six to eight – and most of those occur during the winter months. As a parent, you probably do everything you can to ensure your little one takes their medicine and gets plenty of rest when they’re feeling under the weather. But in doing so, you may start to neglect their oral hygiene. Since the mouth is full of bacteria, minimizing that bacterium with proper oral care will help your child heal faster. Read on to learn how you can keep your child’s teeth healthy this season.
Brush Their Teeth
When your child is sick with the flu or a cold, it may seem impossible to get them to follow their oral hygiene routine. However, it’s incredibly important that continue to brush their teeth every day. Is your child too sick to get out of bed? Don’t worry, you don’t have to drag them to the bathroom to brush their teeth. You can bring them a cup to spit in and a cup of water to rinse. Make sure they’re brushing at least twice a day, even if they’re feeling under the weather!
Gargle with Salt Water
Does your child know what gargling is? If so, they’re old enough to do it themselves. You should encourage them to gargle with salt water once a day to kill the bacteria in the throat and mouth. Not only will it help them heal more quickly, but it can soothe their sore throat if they have one.
Replace Their Toothbrush
Germs and bacteria can stay on your child’s toothbrush long after they have recovered from their illness. While they may have developed an immunity to their disease, other family members have not. Therefore, it’s a good idea to toss out their old toothbrush and get them a new one. If you’re in a pinch, you can even boil their toothbrush in hot water to kill off some of the germs. While your child is sick, don’t forget to store their toothbrush far away from others to prevent the illness from spreading!
Make Sure They Stay Hydrated
Make sure your little one drinks plenty of water during their sickness! If your child has a stuffy nose, they’ve probably resorted to mouth-breathing, which can lead to dry mouth. And if that happens, they won’t produce enough saliva to wash away harmful bacteria. Staying hydrated will not only help them heal faster but keep the saliva flowing to wash away bacteria in the mouth.
Don’t forget to take care of your child’s smile during the winter months. By following the tips outlined above, you can ensure your child’s teeth remain happy and healthy throughout cold and flu season!
About the Author
Dr. Homer Segidhi is passionate about helping patients of all ages achieve their happiest, healthiest smiles. He is a Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist, which means he has gone through a rigorous examination process and is committed to lifelong learning in the field. For more tips on how to keep your child’s smile healthy during cold and flu season, you can reach Dr. Segidhi via his website or call (636) 777-7777.