{"id":210,"date":"2018-12-04T16:07:12","date_gmt":"2018-12-04T16:07:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.painesvilledentalgroup.com\/blog\/?p=210"},"modified":"2018-12-28T16:26:06","modified_gmt":"2018-12-28T16:26:06","slug":"flu-season-tips-dentist-wants-you-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.painesvilledentalgroup.com\/blog\/flu-season-tips-dentist-wants-you-to-know\/","title":{"rendered":"The Flu Season Tips Your Dentist Wants You to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"sick<\/p>\n

\u2018Tis the season for colds, flu and spending time with your doctor. Unfortunately, the remedies your doctor, conventional wisdom and even old wives\u2019 tales recommend can lead to bad news at your next dental appointment. If you\u2019re sick,\u00a0it\u2019s important to factor in your dentist\u2019s flu season tips, too.<\/p>\n

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When you\u2019re sick, it\u2019s hard to care about anything but getting relief from those stubborn coughs, stuffy or runny noses, pounding sinus pain, nausea or vomiting, and the aches, pains and chills of fever.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, what most of these symptoms have in common is a remedy that\u2019s hard on your teeth. These are the hazards you should be aware of:<\/p>\n

Cough syrups, lozenges and liquid cold medicines<\/h2>\n

Syrupy substances are the worst form of sugar because the stickiness coats your teeth, causing longer exposure to the damaging effect. Lozenges dissolve slowly, keeping the sugar in your mouth longer.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s better to get the relief you need with sugar-free lozenges and liquid medicines or\u2014better yet\u2014relief in capsule form whenever possible.<\/p>\n

Decongestants<\/h2>\n

Ever taken a decongestant for a constantly dripping nose only to end up with a pounding sinus headache and dry mouth instead? That\u2019s the medicine doing its work. That drying effect reduces saliva, which means that it can\u2019t do its job of reducing bacteria and removing sugars from your mouth.<\/p>\n

Your doctor most likely reminds you to drink plenty of liquids when you\u2019re sick. If you\u2019re taking a decongestant, it\u2019s even more important to stay hydrated. But that in itself can cause more problems.<\/p>\n

Liquids with sugar or honey<\/h2>\n

When you\u2019re sick, you need lots of water. Unfortunately, that\u2019s not always what you want. The typical drinks of choice when you have a cold or the flu are loaded with sugar:<\/p>\n