{"id":39,"date":"2022-11-04T18:12:15","date_gmt":"2022-11-04T18:12:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.healthykidsdentistry.com\/blog\/?p=39"},"modified":"2025-04-18T19:55:35","modified_gmt":"2025-04-18T19:55:35","slug":"4-tips-for-protecting-your-childs-smile-this-cold-and-flu-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.healthykidsdentistry.com\/blog\/4-tips-for-protecting-your-childs-smile-this-cold-and-flu-season\/","title":{"rendered":"4 Tips for Protecting Your Child\u2019s Smile This Cold and Flu Season"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The leaves are changing color, the outside temperature is dropping, and autumn is finally here. And as great as this time of year is, with its arrival also comes cold and flu season! Unfortunately, it\u2019s not always easy to protect you and your little one from catching a nasty bug. But did you know that by practicing and encouraging good oral hygiene, you can actively lower the chances of catching something unpleasant. Here are some tips from your children’s dentist in Aspen Hill<\/a> to ensure that your child\u2019s smile is as healthy and bright as possible during the colder winter months.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

1. Encourage Proper Hydration<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s no secret that water is the absolute best beverage for your body\u2014but it\u2019s also the best drink for your teeth and gums! Being properly hydrated ensures that your mouth is producing enough saliva, which in turn helps to protect your smile from the likes of germs and bacteria that don\u2019t just cause cavities, but also make you sick! Rather than letting your child frequently enjoy sugary sodas and acidic juices, which can also wreak havoc on their enamel, you should encourage them to drink plenty of water throughout the day. Sending them to school with a refillable water bottle is one great way of doing this!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Replace Toothbrushes as Needed<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Your children\u2019s dentist in Aspen Hill strongly recommends that you replace your own toothbrush, as well as your child\u2019s, every 3 to 4 months. But it\u2019s also not a bad idea to swap it out more frequently during flu season. If your child becomes sick, bacteria can remain lingering on their brush for quite some time, even after they\u2019ve recovered! Replacing your child\u2019s brush also ensures that your child\u2019s using a brush that doesn\u2019t have worn or frayed bristles, which won\u2019t do their teeth any favors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Gargle with Salt Water<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Salt water is a tried-and-true home remedy that has several awesome benefits. Not only does the mixture kill germs that are present in the mouth and throat, but it also encourages healing! If your child already has a sore throat due to their illness, having them gargle with a mixture of 8 ounces of water and a \u00bd teaspoon of salt can greatly assist their discomfort and help them feel much better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Promote Excellent Oral Hygiene<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Whether it\u2019s flu season or not, one of the best things you can do to protect your child\u2019s smile is promote consistent oral hygiene. Simply put, brushing and flossing daily will reduce the number of harmful bacteria present in your child\u2019s mouth, which can provide protection from many cold- and flu-type illnesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While it\u2019s generally not possible to avoid getting sick altogether, practicing great oral hygiene is actually a very effective means of protecting your smile and <\/em>your health this cold and flu season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About the Author<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Cyrus Allafi received his dental doctorate from the University of Maryland Dental School and has proudly served patients and families in the Aspen Hill area for several years. Dr. Allafi\u2019s team is pleased to offer a wide range of pediatric dentistry services. If you have any questions about the article or would like to schedule a visit for your child, don\u2019t hesitate to visit the practice\u2019s website<\/a> or give them a call for assistance: (301) 871-8880.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The leaves are changing color, the outside temperature is dropping, and autumn is finally here. And as great as this time of year is, with its arrival also comes cold and flu season! Unfortunately, it\u2019s not always easy to protect you and your little one from catching a nasty bug. But did you know that […]<\/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":[],"class_list":["post-39","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nTips For Protecting Your Child's Smile This Flu Season | Healthy Kids Pediatric Dentistry<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Your children\u2019s dentist in Aspen Hill has some useful tips to help you protect your child\u2019s smile and wellness this cold and flu season.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.healthykidsdentistry.com\/blog\/4-tips-for-protecting-your-childs-smile-this-cold-and-flu-season\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" 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