Last Updated on: 4th December 2024, 10:19 am
Cold and flu season not only affects the respiratory system, but it can also have a significant impact on oral health. During these months, the body is weakened, and although the most common symptoms include fever, headache, and nasal congestion, it is important not to underestimate how the flu affects the teeth, gums, and tongue.
Dehydration, mouth breathing, and certain medications can lead to unfavorable conditions , such as dry mouth or increased plaque buildup. These factors can lead to gum irritation, bad breath, and even increase the risk of cavities and other dental problems. Maintaining good oral hygiene during cold and flu season is essential to avoid further complications.
How Cold and Flu Season Affects Oral Health
During cold and flu season, we must be very attentive to oral health, since without realizing it, it can cause the following effects:
Dehydration
When we have colds or flu, our body presents an increase in temperature and an increase in activity in the immune system, which results in dehydration. When our body becomes dehydrated, it can lead to a decrease in saliva, which plays an essential role in the mouth by eliminating bacteria and neutralizing acids. Therefore, when there is a decrease in saliva, it can cause cavities and gum disease.
Medications and their effects on teeth
Medications used to relieve flu symptoms can affect oral health in the following ways:
● Decongestants and antihistamines: they cause dryness in the mouth, resulting in an increase in bacteria in the mouth.
● Cough syrups and lozenges: while considered essential for relieving coughs, they have the disadvantage of containing sugar to improve their taste, which can cause cavities. When using these medications, it is important to maintain oral hygiene practices that include brushing and flossing.
Mouth breathing and its effects on gums and tongue
Mouth breathing creates a dry oral environment, which favors the growth of bacterial loads such as streptococci and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The presence of these bacteria can lead to pneumonia and result in greater vulnerability of the gums to diseases such as gingivitis and periodontitis. Other effects that a dry oral environment in cold and flu season can cause due to mouth breathing are bad breath, which in turn can lead to awkward social moments.
Best Oral Health Hacks During Cold and Flu Season
Some of the tricks to maintain proper dental health during a cold or flu are the following:
Stay hydrated
It is important to prevent dry mouth in cold and flu season, since in addition to being uncomfortable, it presents a greater risk of bacteria accumulation that can result in cavities and periodontal disease. It is important to remember that medications taken to relieve cold symptoms can decrease salivary flow and increase the dry environment in the mouth. Therefore, staying hydrated is important since the body requires increased fluid presence to fight bacteria. Don’t forget to bring water or sugar-free electrolyte drinks!
Use an alcohol-free mouthwash
Using mouthwash with alcohol increases dryness in the mouth and can cause both enamel erosion and gum lesions. For this reason, it is recommended to use an alcohol-free mouthwash or use warm water with salt to gargle. This helps to reduce the bacterial load and reduce bad breath and plaque buildup.
Choose sugar-free medicines
Remember to read the label or ask the pharmacist about the ingredients of the medicines before buying them; make sure they contain xylitol or sucralose but not fructose or corn syrup. The longer the cough drops or syrup remain in the mouth, the greater the exposure of bacteria to the oral cavity, increasing the likelihood of causing cavities or periodontal disease.
Brush and rinse after taking medicines
After taking medicines such as cough drops and syrup, it is important to brush and rinse your mouth. If the medicine is acidic, you should wait a minimum of 30 minutes to brush and avoid enamel erosion.
Continue with your oral hygiene routine during cold and flu season
If you have a cold, don’t forget to cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough. Maintaining an oral hygiene routine is crucial to avoid bacterial load, since the virus can live on wet surfaces for 72 hours. If we brush our teeth, we prevent it from accumulating. Sharing a toothbrush is totally contraindicated. If you have a compromised immune system, it is recommended to change your toothbrush when you notice that the cold is already passing.
During cold and flu season, taking care of your oral health is critical to prevent complications such as dry mouth, gum irritation, and increased plaque buildup. The combination of dehydration, medications, and mouth breathing can increase the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. To maintain good oral health, stay hydrated, use alcohol-free mouthwash, and avoid sugary medications.
Remember to brush especially after taking cold medications, to minimize bacterial growth and ensure a healthy recovery during this season. Additionally, maintaining good dental hygiene can help prevent the late onset of respiratory disorders such as pneumonia, COPD, asthma, and influenza.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The flu can cause several oral health issues, including dry mouth, bad breath, and gum irritation. Dehydration and medications used for flu relief (such as decongestants and antihistamines) can decrease saliva production, leading to an increased risk of plaque buildup, cavities, and gum disease. Yes, the flu can contribute to gum disease. Mouth breathing, common during the flu, creates a dry oral environment that promotes bacterial growth, increasing the risk of gum diseases such as gingivitis or periodontitis. Decreased saliva flow due to dehydration further exacerbates this risk. Flu medications, such as cough syrups and lozenges, often contain sugar that can contribute to cavities. Additionally, decongestants can dry out the mouth, reducing saliva’s ability to protect against bacteria and acids that can cause dental issues. Staying hydrated helps maintain saliva production, which is crucial for protecting teeth and gums. Adequate saliva helps wash away food particles, neutralize acids, and prevent bacteria from accumulating, reducing the risk of dental problems. To protect your teeth, stay hydrated, choose sugar-free medicines, use an alcohol-free mouthwash, and maintain your oral hygiene routine. Brushing after taking medications, especially those with sugar, helps minimize the risk of cavities and gum disease during flu recovery.
References
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2. Admin. (2023, 7 diciembre). The Impact of Mouth Breathing on Oral Health. Best Dental Clinic In Bangalore Indiranagar | Best Dentist In Bangalore Indiranagar. https://www.dentalsolutionsclinic.com/the-impact-of-mouth-breathing-on-oral-health/
3. Cold and Flu Season. (s. f.). MouthHealthy – Oral Health Information From The ADA. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/cold-and-flu-season
4. Kawamoto, M., Tanaka, H., Sakurai, A., Otagiri, H., Karasawa, I., Yamada, S., & Kurita, H. (2021). Exploration of correlation of oral hygiene and condition with influenza infection. PLoS ONE, 16(8), e0254981. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0254981
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