And how you can be one step ahead of this cold and flu season

I am so excited that the holidays are upon us! It’s one of my favorite times of the year.  This can be an amazing time spent with family and friends.  But unfortunately, if you are like many people, this time of year is loaded with all the nasty germs that can ruin your holiday fun. What you probably may not realize is that your oral hygiene often plays a factor in how often (and how long) you stay sick.  Now we are not talking about COVID-19,  but the regular issues we deal with every single year.

So to help you get through this holiday season with as few coughs and sneezes as possible, I’ve put together tips for surviving the cold and flu season.

For the first Tip I am going to simply say, Ditch the toothbrush.  Your toothbrush is probably the last thing on your mind when you get sick. But the truth is that it can be a breeding ground for bacteria and germs. Once you start feeling better, you’re best to toss it in the trash to avoid getting reinfected with the illness.

Now that you have that step down it is time to get really simple and talk about dieting.  The second Tip is to simply: Eat your fruits & veggies.  I know, Mom was right. Eating your fruits and veggies isn’t just a smart choice from a caloric standpoint, they are full of helpful vitamins and nutrients. The bonus is that foods such as apples and carrots also help keep your mouth clean by rubbing against your teeth while chewing. It’s a win-win.

This is the next tip and it is one that many people are not a fan of.  What it consists of is using salt water as a mouth rinse. While you may love your Colgate mouthwash, rinsing and gargling with salt water helps remove that nasty bacteria and help prevent bad breath which could ruin your up-and-close conversations during the holiday season.  We all know we are wearing masks and this is something that can really help out with that smell. 

Now there is still more to this and it is drinking the right amount of water.  I can’t stress drinking water enough. When trying to prevent the cold and flu from taking root in your body, It is super important to keep your fluid levels up. Drinking water helps with hydration and saliva production. This will in turn help keep bacteria at bay and fight off illnesses that may take hold faster.

ALso, it is really important to Avoid sugary medicines.  I personally love cough drops, but sadly I have to watch how often I rely on them. Sugary medications can cause tooth decay and further increase the number of places those icky germs can hide out and breed in.

While you should be brushing and flossing two times a day anyway, it’s especially important during cold and flu season. Proper routine care helps keep bacteria in check and reduces the risk of tooth decay, which we already know can create a hotbed of illnesses.

Hopefully, you won’t need to use the tips above (because nobody has time to be sick!). But if for some reason you find yourself with persistent pain in your mouth or prolonged bad breath (even after you’re feeling better)