Can Cold and Flu Remedies Hurt My Teeth?

Cold and flu season is back in Kamloops. Earlier this year, I wrote about how these illnesses can directly impact your oral health. And thankfully, there are a number of remedies to help get you through those sleepless nights of coughing and long workdays with a stuffy head or runny nose. But did you know some of the solutions meant to help you through the cold and flu can actually damage your teeth? Read on to find out how to use these tools effectively while protecting your teeth.

Nasal Decongestants

Decongestants help battle a runny nose by drying out the tissues, but overuse during cold and flu season can also cause dry mouth. This reduced saliva flow promotes bacteria growth in the mouth, ultimately increasing your risk of gingivitis and tooth decay.

To combat dry mouth, make sure to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Humidifiers are also crucial, especially in a dry climate like Kamloops. They add moisture to the air and help soothe dry tissues.

Sore Throats and Lozenges

Haven’t we all fallen asleep with a sore throat lozenge in our mouth during cold and flu season? They are designed to dissolve slowly, which I’ve found dulls the pain so I can sleep. However, watch out for lozenges with sugar as prolonged contact with the teeth will lead to cavities. Look for brands that are sugar-free or sweetened with xylitol. If you do use sugary products, make sure you brush your teeth often. Last thing you want is to finally get over being sick, only to visit your dentist and discover you need fillings.

Cough Syrup

Cough syrup is always a staple in my battle against cold and flu symptoms. However, these medicines often contain sugar to help mask the awful taste. These sticky liquids will leave a coating on your teeth that can cause tooth decay. Also, watch for medicines containing alcohol, which will reduce saliva flow and make it harder to clean the teeth.

When possible, try pills or gel-caps instead of liquids. Children often struggle with pills, so give them the medicine before a meal so that the increased saliva flow caused by eating will help wash away the sugar coating.

Hot Tea & Orange Juice

I drink tea religiously during any cold and flu to help soothe my throat. But be careful, tea is erosive and will soften the hard enamel layer, leaving you more prone to decay and tooth-wear.

My grandma always said enough Vitamin C would cure any cold. And it definitely helps boost the immune system during cold and flu season. However, citric fruits and beverages are acidic and will also soften enamel.

The best plan is to have these drinks during mealtimes and use a straw, reduce any sweeteners in your tea, and drink water throughout the day. Also, it’s important to brush thoroughly, but wait 30 minutes so that the enamel has a chance to harden again.

Maintain Good Oral Hygiene

Although you might not feel up to it during cold and flu season, stick with your regular brushing and flossing routine. I guarantee you will recover faster and protect your teeth. And don’t forget to change your toothbrush once you’re feeling better as the viruses and bacteria may linger.

 

Our team at Horizon Dental would be happy to help you achieve optimal oral health and we are happily accepting new patients. If you’re looking for a dentist in Kamloops, we are happily accepting new patients! You can contact us by clicking here!

Living with Diabetes – Considerations for Teeth and Gums

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month and there are over 11 million Canadians living with diabetes or pre-diabetes today. Diabetes can lead to a wide variety of health problems, but were you aware that it can also put you at risk for dental issues? High blood sugar affects every part of the body, including the teeth and gums.

When it comes to diabetes and your oral health, here are some problems to look out for:

1) Gum Disease

Gum disease can take two forms: gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis is a less serious inflammation of the gingiva that can be painful and leave you with swollen, bleeding gums. If left untreated, gingivitis can develop into periodontitis, which eats away at the tissue and bone support around your teeth.

Once that bone is gone, it’s almost impossible to get back. Eventually, the teeth will loosen and could ultimately require extraction. Because of the bacteria hiding in those deep gum pockets, you may experience bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth. For more information, check out my video on Gum Disease here!

Diabetes is a major risk factor for gum disease due to reduced blood supply to the gums, slow wound healing, and increased risk of bacterial infection. To further complicate matters, untreated gum disease will raise the blood sugar levels, making diabetes more difficult to manage.

2) Dry Mouth

If you have diabetes, you’ll be familiar with feeling constantly thirsty or having a “cotton mouth”. Saliva is very important for washing away plaque from the teeth. The more plaque means a higher risk of gum disease and dental decay. Other symptoms include dry or cracked lips and difficulty chewing or swallowing.

Dry mouth associated with diabetes is worsened by caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol, as well as spicy and salty foods.

Follow these tips to enhance your oral health while living with diabetes:

1) Practice good oral hygiene by brushing twice and flossing once daily. Consider investing in an electric toothbrush, such as the Sonicare which has special settings for patients with gum disease, or a Waterpik to help flush those deep pockets and clear food debris.

2) Manage your diet and experiment with diabetes-friendly recipes found at www.diabetesfoodhub.org. Also, be sure to stay hydrated and stick to water.

3) Schedule regular dental visits. While you may only need to see the dentist twice per year for check-ups, we recommend patients with diabetes see their dental hygienist for regular cleanings every 3 months. The reason is to disrupt the bacteria and inflammation so that we can stop the disease from getting worse. This will also help keep your blood sugar in-check.

4) See a Periodontist, a dentist that specializes in gum disease, if your dental team recommends their help in combating the disease.

 

Our team at Horizon Dental would be happy to help you achieve good dental health while managing your diabetes. You can contact us by clicking here! Or you can email me directly at drcindy@horizondental.clinic.

Call Now

Directions