Cold and Flu Season: How to Protect Your Child's Teeth (Tips From a Stonecrest Pediatric Dentist)

Sugary medicines and cough drops

Many children's liquid medicines are sweetened to make them easier to swallow, and many cough drops are essentially hard candy. Both bathe teeth in sugar — and they're often taken several times a day, sometimes at bedtime.

You don't need to skip medicine your child needs. Instead, give it with a meal when the directions allow, have your child drink or rinse with water afterwards, and avoid giving sweet medicine right after brushing at night. If you're choosing between products, ask your pediatrician or pharmacist whether a sugar-free version is appropriate for your child.

Dry mouth from fever and congestion

Saliva is the mouth's natural defense — it rinses away food and neutralizes acid. Fever, dehydration and breathing through the mouth because of a stuffy nose all reduce saliva, so teeth are more vulnerable while your child is sick. Keep offering water throughout the day.

What to drink when your child is sick

Water is the best everyday choice for teeth. Juice, soda and sports drinks contain sugar and acid. If your child's pediatrician recommends an oral rehydration drink for vomiting or diarrhea, follow their advice — and have your child rinse with water afterwards when they can.

After a stomach bug: rinse, then wait to brush

Vomiting brings stomach acid into the mouth, which softens enamel. Brushing right away can scrub the softened enamel. Instead, have your child rinse with water — or a cup of water with a teaspoon of baking soda — and wait about 30 minutes before brushing.

Toothbrush hygiene during cold and flu season

• Never share toothbrushes, even between siblings.
• Rinse the brush after use and store it upright to air-dry, not touching other brushes.
• Avoid closed toothbrush covers, which keep bristles damp.
• Replace toothbrushes every 3 to 4 months, or sooner if the bristles are frayed. Many families also replace them after an illness as an inexpensive fresh start.

Gummy vitamins, lozenges and other sick-day sweets

Gummy vitamins and many throat lozenges are sticky or slow-dissolving, so they keep sugar on the teeth longer than you might expect. If your child takes a gummy vitamin, give it with a meal rather than as a snack, and keep it as part of the brushing routine. Sick days can also mean more juice, popsicles and comfort snacks — that's fine while your child recovers, but offer water in between and get back to the usual routine once they're well.

Should you reschedule a dental visit when your child is sick?

If your child has a fever, a contagious illness or is vomiting, call our Stonecrest office to reschedule their checkup — they'll be more comfortable, and it protects other children in the waiting room. A mild cold without fever usually isn't a reason to cancel, but a stuffy nose can make it hard to breathe during a cleaning, so let us know and we'll decide together. Dental emergencies are different: if your child has tooth pain with facial swelling, call right away even if they're sick.

Sick-day dental checklist

• Keep brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste — even if it's a quick brush.
• Offer water often to fight dry mouth.
• Give sweet medicines with meals when allowed, then a drink of water.
• After vomiting: rinse, wait about 30 minutes, then brush.
• Keep toothbrushes separate and let them air-dry.
• Call the pediatric dentist for tooth pain that lasts, or for any facial swelling.

When tooth pain isn't a cold

Sinus pressure can make the upper back teeth ache, and that usually fades as the cold clears. But call our Stonecrest office if your child's tooth pain continues after they recover, if a tooth is sensitive to hot or cold, or if there's swelling in the gums or face — especially with a fever. Facial swelling can be a sign of a dental infection and should be seen promptly. Learn more on our emergency pediatric dentist page and our kids' root canal page.

Keep up the routine — and the checkups

As your Stonecrest pediatric dentist, our advice is simple: even on sick days, keep up two minutes of brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Once your child is well, a preventive checkup with fluoride is a good way to make sure the season didn't leave any problems behind. Our Stonecrest office offers 7 AM appointments — request one online or call 770-482-4661.