With the arrival of cold weather, comes the arrival of flu season.
There are lots of preventative measures to help decrease the spread of the cold and flu viruses. Hand washing is one of the easiest and most effective ways to decrease the spread of the flu virus. The flu vaccine, if you are a candidate for it, is another great way to decrease your susceptibility to the virus.
What about when you already have the flu or a cold?
- Stay home to get the rest you need to recover, and to avoid spreading the virus to classmates, colleagues or your dental care providers. Please reschedule any dental visits you may have while you are sick. If your child is too sick to go to school, they are too sick to come to the dentist.
- Brush as usual. Keep up dental hygiene. It can be hard for kids who’d rather not get up, but that clean mouth feel can make you feel so much better!
- Make sure cough drops are sugar-free: Many cough drops contain lots of sugar – meaning that sucking on them is just like sucking on hard candy! Pick sugar-free cough drops instead.
- Swish with water after taking medicine syrups. Many children’s medications contain high amounts of sugar to offset the taste of the actual medication. Offer a drink of water after the administration of any flavored medications.
- Wait 30 minutes after vomiting before brushing. Swish and spit instead. Vomit contains stomach acids, and brushing immediately will increase the exposure of those acids to your child’s teeth. Swish with water or mouthwash and then brush after about 30 minutes.
- Be aware of sugary drinks. When your child is sick, avoiding dehydration is very important. When offering hydrating options, be aware that many sports drinks and juices contain high amounts of sugar. Consider other lower sugar options, like bone broth and plain water.
About Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic Specialists of Michigan
Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic Specialists of Michigan has specialized in pediatric dentistry and orthodontics since 1968. Our family-friendly and newly renovated office gives patients and families a more comfortable and consistent experience with dentistry from the very beginning. Our pediatric dentists treat children from newborn to 18 years of age while our orthodontists provide care for both children and adults and are proud to be Premier Providers of Invisalign and Invisalign Teen services. We have the ability to treat all patients with compassion and individuality, including those that may have special needs as we have treatment rooms available for children who require additional privacy and customized care options. We pioneered valued hospital affiliations to allow dental services to be performed at DMC Children’s Hospital and St. John Macomb Hospital, when appropriate or necessary, and our specialists are also proud to be on staff at Henry Ford and Beaumont hospitals.
