When you come down with a cold or the flu, your dental health is likely the last thing on your mind. However, in addition to your stuffy nose, sore throat, and body aches, cold and flu can impact your teeth and gums.
How Sickness Affects Your Oral Health
While the cold or flu virus itself doesn’t directly attack your teeth, the symptoms and the ways you treat them can lead to dental problems. Understanding these connections allows you to protect your smile even when you’re not feeling your best.
Sugar in Medications
Many over-the-counter medications designed to relieve cold and flu symptoms, such as cough syrups and throat lozenges, contain high amounts of sugar to mask their otherwise unpleasant flavors. While these meds can go a long way in soothing a sore throat or suppressing your cough, the sugars they contain can also contribute to tooth decay.
When you use these products, the sugar coats and sticks to your teeth. Bacteria in your mouth feed on this sugar, producing acids that attack your tooth enamel. Frequent use of these medications throughout the day and night can lead to a sustained acid attack on your teeth, increasing your risk for cavities.
When possible, opt for sugar-free cough drops, lozenges, and liquid medications. If you must use a sugary product, try to rinse your mouth with water afterward.
Dry Mouth from Medication and Mouth Breathing
One of the most common side effects of being sick is dry mouth. This can be caused by two main factors:
- Decongestants: Many cold and flu remedies contain antihistamines or decongestants that reduce mucus production. A side effect of these ingredients is a decrease in saliva flow.
- Mouth Breathing: When your nose is congested, you are forced to breathe through your mouth. This constant airflow dries out the oral tissues and reduces the amount of saliva present.
Saliva is your mouth’s natural defense system. It helps to wash away food particles, neutralize acids produced by bacteria, and deliver minerals that strengthen your enamel. When your mouth is dry, these protective functions are diminished, leaving your teeth more vulnerable to decay.
Sinus Pressure and Toothaches
The maxillary sinuses, which are large air-filled cavities located in your cheekbones, sit just above the roots of your upper back teeth. When you have a cold or sinus infection, these sinuses can become inflamed and fill with mucus, creating pressure. This pressure can push down on the nerve endings of your upper molars, causing a dull, aching pain that feels very similar to a toothache.
This type of pain is often felt in several teeth at once, not just one. The discomfort usually subsides once your congestion clears up. If the pain is sharp, localized to one tooth, or persists after you recover, it is a good idea to schedule a dental appointment to rule out other issues.
Vomiting
Unfortunately, many illnesses can be accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Stomach acid is extremely corrosive, and when it comes into contact with your teeth, it can severely erode the protective enamel layer.
This erosion makes your teeth weaker, more sensitive, and more susceptible to cavities. It’s a common instinct to want to brush your teeth immediately after vomiting to get rid of the taste and feeling. However, brushing your teeth right after they have been exposed to stomach acid can cause more harm. The acid softens the enamel, and the abrasive action of your toothbrush can cause damage.
After vomiting, wait at least 30 minutes to brush. Instead, rinse your mouth thoroughly with water, fluoride mouthwash, or a mixture of water and one teaspoon of baking soda to help neutralize the acid and wash it away.
Protecting Your Teeth While You’re Sick
Even when you are feeling unwell, you can take simple steps to maintain your oral health.
Stay Hydrated
Drink plenty of water throughout the day. This helps combat dry mouth by keeping your oral tissues moist and helps your body fight off the illness. Staying hydrated also encourages saliva production, which protects your teeth.
Maintain Your Routine
It can be difficult to find the energy, but try your best to brush your teeth twice a day and floss once a day. This simple routine is your best defense against plaque buildup and cavities.
See Your Dentist
Most tooth pain related to a cold or flu will resolve on its own once you recover. If you experience persistent pain in a single tooth, extreme sensitivity, or discomfort that does not go away after your other symptoms have cleared, it is important to contact our office.
And, as always, be sure to schedule a check-up and professional cleaning twice a year to maintain your oral health all year round.