When the weather starts to get a little colder, we invariably become sicker. More time spent together during the holidays and indoors makes for a prime breeding ground for our common viruses such as the cold or influenza. While these might feel like minor inconveniences that you can rest through, being sick can lead to issues maintaining a properly healthy mouth.
Not only that, but keeping your smile as clean as possible while you’re ill can help you feel a little bit better. Today, your Gary, IN dentist explains how important it can be to stick to a strict oral health schedule when you contract a common winter virus. Also, what to do to help avoid this situation entirely!
Prevention Is Best
Especially within dentistry, it is important to stress how helpful it can be to take care to avoid sickness altogether. The best method of achieving this is through the influenza vaccine. This quick shot can help you to avoid a week of serious illness. you can find this at your local pharmacy, and many places are offering grocery store discounts and other benefits if you get one!
Beyond that, we should stick to some of the habits we picked up at the start of the pandemic. It is always best to wash your hands for a full twenty seconds whenever you go somewhere new, or return home. And most certainly, wash your hands before you eat! We are constantly touching handrails and door handles during the holidays, and you never know who was just there.
This Can Be Serious
We often dismiss the common cold and the flu as just a natural part of life. But the harm can go beyond a few days of missed work. Certainly, getting sick can become expensive, through medicines and liquids. But the flu is a dangerous virus that you should not underestimate.
Over 50,000 Americans died of this illness in the 2018-2019 season. Since the advent of COVID-19, this has only become more of a danger. We are all a little tired of taking care of ourselves, but it is still important to protect yourself as best you can.
When You’re Sick
If you have come down with one of our most common viruses, you might be preoccupied with your discomfort. This can lead patients to ignore their routine oral health regimen. While your immune system focuses on this larger problem, your mouth’s defenses may be down.
By continuing with your twice-daily brushing and daily flossing, you can help to alleviate some of your discomfort, as well. You might be sweaty, but you can control how your mouth feels. Take the time to keep yourself working as best as possible!
ABOUT YOUR GARY, IN, DENTIST:
As a native of northwest Indiana, Nicholas Cain, DDS, is dedicated to providing excellent general, preventive, and family dentistry services to the community that raised him, welcoming patients from Gary, Miller, Miller Beach, and all surrounding areas. To schedule your appointment, call Healthy Smiles in Gary, IN, today at 219-938-2637. You can also email our office at info@healthysmilesnwi.com.