While we may be able to avoid some of the nastier weather that hits other parts of the country, this time of the year can still be much more dangerous than in the summer months. A few differing factors lead to this time becoming the prime season for our common viruses such as the cold and the flu. It is important to take precautions to stay as healthy as you can during this time. This can be difficult in Southern California, as even when it isn’t freezing outside, our traditional activities lead to increases in transmission of diseases.
If you become sick, it may pose its own unique threat to the future of your gorgeous smile, as well. When you are sick from these common viruses, it can be hard to even get out of bed, let alone properly attend to your oral health. Today, your Newport Beach, CA dentist explains some ways to treat a sick mouth, and gives you some helpful habits that may help you avoid feeling bad altogether!
What You Can Do Now
When it gets to be this time of the year, it is important that you take a little more care in your health, as the risk of viral transmission is elevated. This means fully washing your hands for 20 seconds (at least) whenever you go to a new place. It is helpful to get into this habit when you come home, but also when you leave. We should always wash our hands before we eat at a restaurant anyway, but this is an added incentive.
If your doctor says that you are healthy enough to receive an influenza vaccine, this is one of the simplest and most effective ways of staying safe this winter. The flu may seem like an everyday occurrence, but it is in fact highly dangerous. In the season prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, an estimated 35,000 Americans died, maybe as much as over 50,000 people. This winter looks to be particularly risky, both due to higher rates of influenza and RSV, which is a dangerous respiratory illness for the old, the very young, and the immunocompromised. If you don’t get the shot for yourself, do it for them!
If You Fall Ill
If you happen to catch something despite your elevated hygiene procedures, you may wonder how to best care for your smile at this time. Or perhaps you want to care for a loved one and keep them as safe as possible while they fight this battle.
Sticking to the routine oral health maintenance of twice-daily brushing, as well as flossing and rinsing each night, can be beneficial in a number of ways. Firstly, having a clean smile can help you feel better! Also, allowing your immune system to fully concentrate on the matter at hand might help shorten your illness.
Stay Safe This Winter!
It can be difficult to maintain your smile when you’re sick. If you have any questions, or would like some advice, please give Dr. Hofkes at Balboa Dental Surgery a call at (949)630-0143.
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