During the winter months, people tend to spend more time indoors so they can keep warm and avoid the rain or snow outside. Unfortunately, indoor environments can expose people to many more germs and much more allergenic debris than the outdoors, which can make them more likely to develop colds and other respiratory infections. Here’s a brief guide to how you can keep your child’s dental health on track during cold and flu season.
Keep Hygiene Spaces Sanitary
Regular brushing and flossing are essential to ensuring that your child has healthy teeth for life, but it can be a little too easy to neglect cleaning the area around the sink where they perform their oral hygiene. Thoroughly cleaning the area to eliminate soap scum, grime, and other lingering debris can help reduce the bacterial presence in your child’s oral hygiene space. It’s also a great idea to periodically treat the surfaces there with antibacterial wipes between cleanings to prevent new accumulations from forming.
Make Sure Your Kid Washes Their Hands
People touch a lot of stuff with their hands, and many of these surfaces are not in the cleanest condition. Many doorknobs come into contact with countless hands on any given day, and many keyboards are less clean than the average public toilet seat. Teaching your child to wash their hands regularly is a great way to help them avoid germ exposure and establish proper hygiene habits.
Hydration Is Crucial
Water is essential to all known forms of life, and it plays many key roles in a person’s oral health by ensuring that the body can maintain healthy saliva flow. However, it can be harder to remember to drink enough water during the winter since it isn’t hot outside. Making sure that your child drinks plenty of water throughout the day can help them keep their teeth clean and their immune system strong.
A cold or the flu can cause a lot of frustration and misery. By taking a few measures to ensure that your child remains safe from germs during their oral hygiene sessions, you can set them up for a lifetime of excellent oral and overall health.
About the Author
Dr. Linda Steele earned her dental degree at Baylor College of Dentistry and underwent a pediatric residency at Children’s Mercy Hospital. She is proud to be a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry as well as a member of the American Dental Association. Her office in Coppell offers general, restorative, and emergency dentistry for children of all ages. To learn more about keeping your kid’s teeth healthy, contact her office online or dial (972) 640-7432.