Toluca Lake Dentist Reviews How Illness Can Affect Your Oral Health

Written by Dr. McKay on Feb 18, 2020

When you don’t feel great in general, your smile can suffer as a result. In this article our Toluca Lake dentists are sharing information about what kinds of dental changes you may notice, so that you can be proactive about protecting your oral health.

Dry Mouth

Saliva is your body’s natural mechanism for neutralizing bacteria and re-mineralizing dental enamel. When you don’t have enough saliva in your mouth, you’ll likely notice a buildup of oral bacteria as well as persistent bad breath. Dry mouth is a common side effect of a number of medications, and it occurs along with dehydration, especially if you have been vomiting.

Vomiting

Vomiting itself is damaging because it coats your teeth and oral tissues in stomach acid. That is why it is so important to rinse your mouth with water frequently during illness, and especially after throwing up.

Post-Nasal Drip

When your sinuses are overburdened, mucus will migrate to your throat, causing discomfort and inflammation. You may notice a troublesome cough, and hard-to-treat bad breath. No matter how well you care for your smile, you’ll need to treat the nasal drip in order to overcome malodorous breath for good.

Rinsing your mouth regularly will help to keep unpleasant symptoms at bay while you are recovering. Rinsing with water is helpful in and of itself, and your dental team can help you decide whether a specially formulated rinse should be added to your dental routine for additional benefits.

Try keeping some dental hygiene tools—like floss and rinse—on your nightstand, so that you are able to use them at a moment’s notice, day or night.

Our Toluca Lake dentists are happy to give you more information about caring for your smile in sickness and in health. Contact our team to schedule a personal consultation and get started!