pediatric dentist<\/a> has a few tips to keep their teeth and gums healthy:<\/p>\n\n\n\n1. Don\u2019t Skip Teeth Brushing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Your child may not want to get out of bed when they are feeling under the weather, but they still need to brush their teeth, especially if they have been vomiting. Instead of dragging them to the bathroom, bring their toothbrush and floss to their bed. All they need is a cup of water to keep their mouth clean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Gargle Salt Water<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Depending on your child\u2019s age, they can gargle salt water to ease their sore throat while also killing any germs lingering in their mouth. Gargling a cup of salt water once a day can get them feeling their best quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. Rinse After Medications<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There aren\u2019t a lot of sugar-free options when it comes to children\u2019s medicine, so you\u2019ll want your child to get in the habit of rinsing their mouth with water after taking medications. Water will help remove cavity-causing residue from their teeth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. Encourage Plenty of Water<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Children can become dehydrated quickly when they are ill, which can lead to serious complications for their health and smile. Nasal congestion can cause your child to breathe through their mouth, which will increase dehydration. As their body is depleted of water, their mouth will become dry, creating the ideal breeding ground for bad oral bacteria. You\u2019ll want to ensure your child is drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t let cold and flu season affect your child\u2019s beautiful smile. If you have any concerns about their dental health or the oral effects of certain medications, don\u2019t hesitate to contact your dentist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
About Dr. Bob Koenitzer<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nDr. Koenitzer<\/a> regularly attends ongoing educational courses to provide superior dentistry to create generations of healthy smiles. After earning his dental degree, he received various awards for his clinical excellence. Dr. Koenitzer provides the comfortable care young smiles need to thrive. If it\u2019s time for your child\u2019s cleaning and checkup, contact our office<\/a> today to schedule an appointment.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"There isn\u2019t any doubt, cold and flu season is here. Along with cooler weather comes running noses and sore throats. The average child catches 6-8 colds per year. They are more susceptible to illness because they can\u2019t resist touching germy surfaces or sticking things in their mouth. At the first sign your child isn\u2019t feeling […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n
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![\"Sick](\"https:\/\/www.petalumasmiles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/sick-child-300x209.jpg\")
There isn\u2019t any doubt, cold and flu season is here. Along with cooler weather comes running noses and sore throats. The average child catches 6-8 colds per year. They are more susceptible to illness because they can\u2019t resist touching germy surfaces or sticking things in their mouth. At the first sign your child isn\u2019t feeling well, you head to the medicine cabinet to combat their symptoms. While you help them on their road to recovery, don\u2019t let simple mistakes harm their dental health. Here are 4 tips you need to know to safeguard your child\u2019s smile from cold and flu season.<\/p>\n