It’s beginning to be the time of the year where viruses like the flu and the common cold start popping up left and right. If you have children or are around people for your career, it may seem nearly impossible to avoid the sniffles from time to time. We know that this can have serious consequences on our time and money, as you are laid out for a few days, or maybe even a week.
But it also may become particularly difficult to bring yourself to maintain your normal oral health routines while you are under the weather. After all, you’re trying to rest and it might not feel the best to pull yourself out of bed. While your immune system is busy with other things, your mouth may be more vulnerable than usual. Today, your Cerritos, CA dentist stresses the importance and benefits of maintaining strict control of your oral health, even when battling a common winter virus!
Avoid Sickness Entirely
In dentistry, professionals consistently stress how beneficial it is to prevent problematic situations before they have a chance to occur. For example, tooth decay occurs from an extended period of bacterial growth, and the best method of eliminating it comes through habitual oral health hygiene. Fillings can be a great way of restoring a tooth back to full functionality, but optimally, the problem will have been stopped from the start.
This concept can be applied to your immunological health, as well. For our common winter viruses, the best way of staving off sickness is through the influenza vaccine. This simple shot only takes a few minutes and can save you from days of severe discomfort.
Not only that, but the flu kills many people each year. The estimates from the year before the pandemic hit reached over 50,000 Americans who lost their lives on account of this virus. So take the time to help avoid this highly transmissable illness!
When You’re Sick
So you have developed the common cold. Now what? Or perhaps you put off getting your flu shot and find yourself unfortunately laid out. You might be wondering how best to make this experience as tolerable as possible.
It might seem like the most difficult thing you can do in a day, but taking the time to brush your teeth can make you feel much better. Generally, when you’re ill, you feel lousy from top to bottom. A fever can give you both chills and sweat at the same time, and even a shower won’t be likely to help.
But helping to eliminate bad bacteria in your mouth can also allow your body to focus on the problem at hand. And help you avoid issues such as periodontal disease or tooth decay!
ABOUT YOUR CERRITOS, CA, ORAL SURGEON:
Dr. Shawn Hofkes and the staff at Cerritos Dental Surgery are highly qualified to address complex issues, including those that require oral surgery to correct. To schedule an appointment or consultation with Dr. Hofkes, contact us today by calling 562-584-4082. We proudly welcome patients of all ages from Cerritos, CA, and all surrounding communities, such as Lakewood, Long Beach, Buena Park, and more.
