{"id":42,"date":"2019-11-02T13:32:15","date_gmt":"2019-11-02T13:32:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.willowgrovedentist.com\/blog\/?p=42"},"modified":"2019-12-02T13:32:39","modified_gmt":"2019-12-02T13:32:39","slug":"flu-season-tips-dentist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.willowgrovedentist.com\/blog\/2019\/11\/02\/flu-season-tips-dentist\/","title":{"rendered":"Can Cold & Flu Medicines Cause Cavities to Form?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"medicine<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

This time of the year is notoriously known as cold\nand flu season because everyone seems to be stuffy, coughing, and congested. From\na study<\/a>\nconducted between the months of November 2016 and January 2017, it was found\nthat 59 percent of annual over-the-counter cold and flu remedies were\npurchased. This includes everything from decongestants to cough drops. The only\nproblem is that many people aren\u2019t aware of how these remedies can impact their\noral health. Instead of fighting off an unforgiving cold only to find out cavities<\/a>\nhave formed in your mouth, follow these flu season tips from your dentist to\nlearn how you can keep your oral health in great shape this winter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Decongestants<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re taking any type of decongestant, your goal is probably\nto dry out your sinuses so you can function at work without dripping over\neverything. The problem is, the medicine could also cause your mouth to become\ndry. This is a common listed side-effect of decongestants that can have a major\nimpact on your oral health, especially if you\u2019re routinely using this cold remedy.\nThe reduced amount of saliva in your mouth allows bacteria and sugar to remain\nstagnant, settling on your teeth, tongue, and oral tissues to cause common\nproblems such as gum disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cough Drops<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Foods that slowly dissolve in your mouth are known to put\nyour pearly whites at risk, especially if they contain added sugars or\nflavorings. The same goes for cough drops and sore throat lozenges during cold\nand flu season. While the medicinal ingredients may help clear up your\nsymptoms, they also include other ingredients that are strictly meant to\nenhance the flavor, such as sugar. When sugar settles on your teeth, it\nincreases your risk of developing dental decay and cavities, resulting in the\nneed for fillings or even causing infections. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Syrups and Liquid Cold Medicines<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Just like cough drops, syrups and different types of liquid\ncold medicine also contain sugar that sticks to teeth and leads to cavity\nformation. Some of these also contain additional ingredients that are harmful\nto your oral health, such as alcohol, which can cause dry mouth as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Can You Beat Cavities This Flu Season?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To counteract the side-effects of common cold and flu remedies\nand keep your mouth healthy this season, be sure to take additional preventive\nmeasures to ensure that the harmful ingredients found in these medicines don\u2019t\ncause cavities to develop. You can do this by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n