When sickness hits, our bodies change to battle the germs. Many of us know fever, cough, and tiredness, but don’t think about how being sick affects our mouths. Lots of sicknesses can hurt our teeth and gums, leading to dental problems.

So, what occurs with your teeth when you’re unwell?

Let’s examine. Bigger Tooth Decay Risk Being sick makes us want sweet food and drink. Sadly, this is bad for our teeth. Mouth bacteria eat sugar, making acid that harms enamel and makes tooth decay. Some medicines have sugar too, raising decay risk.

Mouth Dryness

Many sicknesses and meds can make our mouths dry, with too little spit. Spit is key for healthy teeth, as it balances acid and cleans away food bits. Not enough spit means higher risk of decay and gum disease.

Gum Disease

When sick, our immune system can’t fight infections well, even in our mouths. Gum disease can make redness, swelling, bleeding, and even tooth loss if not treated.

Tooth Sensitivity

Sicknesses causing dehydration, like flu and diarrhoea, may lead to sensitive teeth. Dehydration can make gums pull back, showing the touchy tooth roots. Some meds can also make teeth sensitive by wearing away enamel.

Tooth Erosion

Some sicknesses, like acid reflux and bulimia, lead to tooth erosion. Acid wears away enamel, making teeth sensitive, discolored, and maybe cracked. Without treatment, erosion can cause big dental issues.

What can you do to guard your teeth when sick?

• Pick sugar-free food and drink when you can
• Drink lots of water for a wet mouth
• Use fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash for strong enamel
• Keep up regular dentist visits to spot problems early
• Talk to your dentist about your mouth health worries

In the end, being sick can hurt our dental health a lot. By knowing the risks and guarding our teeth and gums, we can stop dental issues and have good mouth health even when we’re under the weather.

For more info, get in touch with Coombe End Dental.