{"id":77,"date":"2018-11-20T12:40:39","date_gmt":"2018-11-20T12:40:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.capehartdentistry.com\/blog\/?p=77"},"modified":"2018-12-20T12:45:51","modified_gmt":"2018-12-20T12:45:51","slug":"how-do-the-most-common-cold-and-flu-remedies-affect-your-teeth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.capehartdentistry.com\/blog\/2018\/11\/20\/how-do-the-most-common-cold-and-flu-remedies-affect-your-teeth\/","title":{"rendered":"How Do the Most Common Cold and Flu Remedies Affect Your Teeth?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Unfortunately, no one is entirely immune from cold and flu\nseason! Despite your best efforts, you might still get sick and wind up spending\ndays in bed using multiple cold and flu remedies to feel better. You may not\nthink about how these products can impact your smile, but you would be\nsurprised at how they increase your risk of cavities. Keep reading to learn\nmore about the effect of these products and how to minimize your risk. That way\nyou can feel better quickly – and maintain a healthy smile at the same time!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Cough Drops and Lozenges<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Many cough drops and lozenges contain sugar. And since you hold them in your mouth until they dissolve, they\u2019re just as harmful as hard candy. Not to mention that you can easily go through a handful each day when you\u2019re sick. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To avoid this, just choose a sugar-free kind, which are readily\navailable at the store. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Decongestants<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One side effect of decongestants is dry mouth, which can\nhave serious consequences for your teeth and gums. Saliva neutralizes the sugars\nand acids in your mouth that cause cavities and also washes away plaque. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without it, your risk of tooth decay goes up significantly,\nbut chewing sugar-free gum and staying well hydrated will help. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cough Syrup<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Most cough syrup has a sticky consistency and contains both\nsugar and alcohol. When these ingredients adhere to your teeth and gums, they\ncan lead to dry mouth and tooth decay. If possible, try to use gel-caps\ninstead. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Orange Juice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Orange juice is a \u201cdouble whammy\u201d because it contains both\nacid and sugar. This combination can really do a number on your teeth! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, sipping on anything sweet over a long period is much\nworse for your teeth than consuming it in a short, 10-15 minute period. With\nthat in mind, try to finish your juice in that time frame to reduce the risk of\ncavities. Afterwards, it\u2019s a good idea to rinse with water several times. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Else Can You Do To Protect Your Teeth?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n