When you’re sick, it’s easy to put your life on hold until you feel better. Even something as common as the cold. But there are a few things to consider when it comes to caring for your teeth and mouth when an illness sets in.
Here are some common sense self-care tips to get you on the mend:
1. Don’t share your toothbrush. Though it’s not recommended to share a toothbrush ever, it’s especially important to avoid this during times of illness as germs and the flu virus can live on moist surfaces for up to three days. Also, consider storing your toothbrush away from others in the household. If toothbrushes are kept in a shared holder, they may touch one another.
2. Use sugar-free cough drops. Did you know that many popular throat lozenges are packed full of sugar? As a cough drop is designed to last in your mouth for several minutes, that means that sugar can build up on your teeth. Opt for sugar-free cough drops and cough medicine in pill form versus liquid.
3. Stay hydrated. When your nose is stuffed and your throat is itchy, you may feel like your mouth is more dry than usual. Remember to drink water throughout the day to keep hydrated. While sports drinks may help replenish electrolytes, drink them in moderation since many contain large amounts of sugar and acid.
4. Rinse after vomiting. If you’re battling a stomach bug you might find yourself vomiting. It’s tempting to freshen your mouth by brushing teeth. But that can often spread the stomach acid around in your mouth. Instead, swish with a mixture of water and 1 tsp. baking soda. That can help neutralise the acid.
5. Replace your toothbrush. When you’re feeling better, start using a new toothbrush to get rid of unwanted germs that may linger around your old brush. Your old toothbrush can harbor bacteria and reinfect you. Remember, toothbrushes wear out, reducing their effectiveness. We recommend replacing your toothbrush every 3-4 months regardless of your overall health.
To protect your teeth for the long run, remember to schedule routine checkups with us—when it’s possible.
Unapokuwa mgonjwa, ni rahisi kuweka maisha yako kando hadi uhisi vizuri. Hata kitu cha kawaida kama baridi. Lakini kuna mambo machache ya kuzingatia kuhusu jinsi ya kutunza meno na mdomo wako wakati ugonjwa unapotokea. Hapa kuna vidokezo vya kawaida vya kujitunza ili kukusaidia: Usitumie mswaki wako kwa wengine. Ingawa haipendekezi kushiriki brashi ya meno wakati wowote, ni muhimu hasa kuepuka hii wakati wa magonjwa kama vijidudu na virusi vya mafua vinaweza kuishi kwenye nyuso zenye unyevu kwa hadi siku tatu. Pia, fikiria kuweka mswaki wako mbali na watu wengine wa nyumbani. Ikiwa brashi za meno huhifadhiwa katika kibanda cha pamoja, zinaweza kugusana. 2. Uwezekano wa kupata Tumia matone ya kikohozi yasiyo na sukari. Je, ulijua kwamba dawa nyingi zinazopendwa sana za kuondoa koo zimejaa sukari? Kwa kuwa dawa ya kukohoa huhifadhiwa kinywani kwa dakika kadhaa, sukari inaweza kujilimbikizia kwenye meno. Chagua matone ya kikohozi yasiyo na sukari na dawa ya kikohozi katika fomu ya kidonge badala ya kioevu. 3. Uwe na mtazamo wa kweli Endelea kuwa na maji mengi. Wakati pua yako imefungwa na koo yako inakuuma, unaweza kuhisi kama kinywa chako ni kavu zaidi kuliko kawaida. Kumbuka kunywa maji siku nzima ili uwe na maji mengi. Ingawa vinywaji vya michezo vinaweza kusaidia kujaza elektroliti, vinwe kwa kiasi kwa kuwa vingi vina kiasi kikubwa cha sukari na asidi. 4. Uwe na uhakika Osha baada ya kutapika. Ikiwa unapambana na ugonjwa wa tumbo huenda ukaanza kutapika. Ni jambo lenye kuvutia kurefusha kinywa chako kwa kupiga mswaki meno. Lakini mara nyingi hilo laweza kueneza asidi ya tumbo mdomoni mwako. Badala yake, chukua mchanganyiko wa maji na 1 tsp. soda ya kuoka. Hiyo yaweza kusaidia kutenganisha asidi. 5. Uwe na mtazamo mzuri. Badilisha mswaki wako wa meno. Unapohisi vizuri zaidi, anza kutumia brashi mpya ya meno ili kuondoa vijidudu visivyotakiwa ambavyo vinaweza kubaki karibu na brashi yako ya zamani. Brashi yako ya meno ya zamani yaweza kuwa na bakteria na kukusababisha maambukizi tena. Kumbuka, brashi za meno huchakaa, na hivyo kupunguza ufanisi wake. Inashauriwa kubadilisha brashi yako ya meno kila baada ya miezi mitatu, bila kujali hali yako ya afya. Ili kulinda meno yako kwa muda mrefu, kumbuka kupanga vipimo vya kawaida na sisi wakati inapowezekana.