It’s that time of year again, when colder spells start to strike, and with them comes an increased risk of picking up a cold, flu, fever or Covid.

Something that can often be neglected is the effect these viruses can have on your oral health and teeth.

With this in mind, we’ll explore how each of the tips below can help you avoid dental-related issues when you’re unwell.

• Drink enough water

• Wait to brush after vomiting

• Replace your toothbrush head

• Don’t ignore post-illness tooth sensitivity

How to care for your teeth during cold and flu season

Drink enough water

Whilst there’s no such thing as flushing out viruses by drinking plenty of water, hydration can help to keep your mouth healthy when you weather the storm of a cold or flu.

Illness tends to make you sweat more than normal, particularly if you are suffering from a fever - this is your body attempting to create an unhospitable environment for germs. A side effect of this defence mechanism is the loss of vital fluids, which can cause or exacerbate a dry mouth.

Unfortunately, bacteria love a dry mouth and will happily set up camp on your tongue and in between your teeth without the flow of saliva to move them along. 

A second aspect to consider where water is concerned is taking cough syrups (which tend to be very high in sugar). We recommend rinsing your mouth with water after using cough syrups to mitigate the sugar's harmful effects on your enamel.

Wait to brush after vomiting

It’s not uncommon for flu to cause vomiting, and whilst it is tempting to reach straight for your brush afterwards, you’re better off waiting for the acidic effects of the vomit to have subsided.

The pH level of vomit is highly acidic and corrosive to your tooth enamel, which is weakened for approximately 30 minutes after an acid attack of this nature.

Rinse your mouth after being sick, and delay brushing until your enamel has had a chance to harden again. This will ensure you don’t kick it while it’s down.

Replace your brush head/throw away your brush

The collective harm of a dry mouth, vomiting and neglecting to brush and floss as normal when you’re sick will cause bacteria to multiply in your mouth.

Bad bacteria and particles can also set up camp on your toothbrush head, so it’s a good idea to change it once you’re through the worst of your illness (this will also stop anyone you live with from contracting the illness too).   

Be wary of post-illness tooth sensitivity

Tooth sensitivity is a normal sensation when you’re unwell – it can be the result of inflammation, or pressure mounting in your sinus cavity.

Intense acid attacks (such as those sustained after vomiting) can cause enamel to become weak, bringing about tooth sensitivity.

If you do experience lingering sensitivity and the use of sensitive toothpaste isn’t helping, contact your dentist. It could be that you’ve sustained a cavity or need advice on remineralising your tooth enamel.

The takeaway

• Hydrate with sugar-free liquids (ideally water) to wash away bacteria and increase saliva flow.

• Delay brushing for 30 minutes after a vomiting episode.

• Replace your brush head once you’re illness-free.

• Get lingering tooth sensitivity checked out by a dentist.