COMING DOWN WITH<\/strong> the flu is never any fun, but it\u2019s still no time to let up on your oral hygiene routine. The same applies if you get a cold. With flu and cold season starting up, we thought this was a good time to share some tips for maintaining good oral health through one of these common illnesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brushing and Flossing Can Help You Feel Better<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As well as you can while sick, try to remember to brush and floss as usual. It\u2019s not just about the comfort of maintaining some part of your normal routine, or about getting some small sense of accomplishment out of it \u2014 no, brushing and flossing can actually make you feel better!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keeping your mouth as clean as possible is a real boost to your overall sense of well-being. A clean mouth helps you feel rejuvenated and refreshed<\/strong>, so don\u2019t let the simple habits of brushing and flossing fall by the wayside while you\u2019re sick. Getting rid of oral bacteria can only help while you\u2019re fighting a cold or the flu!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Stuffy Nose Leads to Dry Mouth<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you can\u2019t breathe out of your nose because of congestion, then obviously your only option is to breathe through your mouth. That\u2019s never great for oral health, because it tends to dry things out. We need our saliva to fend off bacteria and wash away food debris, and dry mouth significantly increases the risk of tooth decay<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes the medicine we take to help with a cold or the flu (such as antihistamines, pain relievers, and decongestants) can actually make the dry mouth situation worse. Keep this in mind and make sure to drink plenty of water<\/strong> and, when possible, breathe through your nose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Congestion and Bad Breath<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Have you ever noticed a snotty taste when you have a cold? Well, it can also be a smell, in the form of bad breath.\u00a0This happens because of post nasal drip, or excess mucus leaking down the back of the throat.<\/strong>\u00a0It\u2019s easy for bacteria to multiply in this situation, which leads to unpleasant smells \u2014 yet another reason why brushing and flossing are just as important when we\u2019re sick!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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