HOW THE FLU HURTS YOUR MOUTH AND HOW YOU CAN CARE FOR IT.pptx

1. BLUE TURTLE DENTAL How The Flu Hurts Your Mouth And How You Can Care For It

2. WELCOME TO OUR DENTAL CLINIC

3. INTRODUCTION Are you waking up with an itchy throat and feeling out of sorts even when it’s fabulous winter ● weather outside? Getting a flu shot, washing your hands often, and avoiding ill people are common-sense ● precautions. But there’s one overlooked aspect of flu prevention and recovery: good oral health. As if the cold and other symptoms of the flu weren’t bad enough, it can also affect your oral health. ●

4. HOW DOES THE FLU AFFECT YOUR DENTAL HEALTH? Flu or influenza is a contagious respiratory virus that affects millions annually. ● Flu can be deadly for those with immature or compromised Immune systems. ● Flu can cause further complications such as pneumonia, brain, heart, and muscle inflammation, ● organ shutdown, and even a life-threatening emergency such as sepsis. Flu can cause death, but many are still unaware of its connection to the mouth. ● With a healthy immune system, influenza can be cleared from your body in as little as two days. ●

5. FLU RELATED DENTAL PROBLEMS Dry Mouth ● Nasal congestion is a common flu symptom during the winter. The change in your voice or ○ speech patterns makes it “sound like you have a pretty awful cold.” Nasal congestion can cause dry mouth, especially while sleeping. When blocked, you must ○ breathe through your mouth. Second, decongestants and antihistamines can cause dry mouth according to the Mayo ○ Clinic. Dry mouth increases the risk of gum disease and tooth decay. It also makes chewing and ○ swallowing harder.

6. FLU RELATED DENTAL PROBLEMS Sinusitis ● A cold virus increases the risk of sinusitis, an infection that can put pressure on your sinus ○ cavities above your back teeth, making it seem like a tooth infection If the symptoms persist, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics. ○

7. FLU RELATED DENTAL PROBLEMS Toothache ● What most people don’t realize is that a sinus virus may cause sudden, unexpected tooth ○ pain. If it’s the flu, things get miserable fast. Upper tooth pain, especially if it affects multiple teeth, and tenderness around your sinuses ○ may be signs of the cold virus or bacterial infection. Congestion can also cause post-nasal drip, allowing the mucus to drip down the back of your ○ throat. The nasal and sinus congestion cause swelling, which can put pressure on the nerves ○ causing tooth or jaw pain.

8. OUR TOP DENTAL HEALTH TIPS FOR THE FLU SEASON Brush and Floss Daily ● The best flu prevention starts with your mouth. Good oral hygiene involves flossing after ○ meals and brushing twice daily. Leaving food in your mouth and under your gums allows harmful bacteria to enter your ○ bloodstream. People usually brush for 30 seconds. Brush your teeth for 2 to 3 minutes daily, including your ○ tongue.

9. OUR TOP DENTAL HEALTH TIPS FOR THE FLU SEASON Discard Your Old Toothbrush ● The flu virus lives in your mucus, so it contacts your mouth every day you’re infected. ○ Your toothbrush becomes a harbor of infection. The flu virus can live on toothbrushes for 48 ○ hours, according to the CDC. After the flu or another illness, toss your old toothbrush immediately and replace it with a new ○ toothbrush. Reinfection is possible, especially if your immune system is weak. ○

10. OUR TOP DENTAL HEALTH TIPS FOR THE FLU SEASON Hydrate Your Body ● When sick, your body needs extra fluid to fight infection. A dry mouth is common when ○ breathing through the nose is difficult. Cold and flu medications can dry the mouth and throat. Plaque and cavity bacteria love dry ○ mouths. Increasing your fluid intake helps your healing process while combating dry mouth. Drinking ○ water, soup, and juice will help during flu infection. Fever can cause dehydration, which worsens fatigue and aches, including tooth pain. ○ Drinking water often helps keep your mouth moist while also hydrating your body. ○

11. OUR TOP DENTAL HEALTH TIPS FOR THE FLU SEASON Do the Salt-Water Gargle and Rinse Your Mouth Often ● Dissolve salt water in warm water and gargle. This helps reduce bad breath and plaque by ○ reducing harmful bacteria in your mouth and throat. It can also reduce inflammation and relieve pain. Vomiting is a nasty flu side effect. Vomiting causes tooth decay as it exposes teeth to ○ stomach acid, which erodes the enamel. Rinse and spit with water and baking soda to dilute the acids.

12. OUR TOP DENTAL HEALTH TIPS FOR THE FLU SEASON Opt For Sugar-Free Medications ● Many cold and flu medications are loaded with sugar to “help the medicine go down.” Sugar ○ can cause tooth decay and gum damage, even with medication. If you can’t find sugar-free or low-sugar alternatives for your medications, brush or rinse after ○ taking them. If your medicine is acidic, wait for at least 30 minutes before brushing to allow your enamel to ○ harden. Sugar-free cough drops or vitamin lozenges help in salivation production. Nasal ○ decongestants help keep airways open and reduce dry mouth symptoms because of medication.

13. CONCLUSION Flu prevention starts with good oral hygiene. It should be part of a comprehensive health-preservation plan. You may want to lie in bed and rest during the flu season. But dental routines are important during this time. Don’t give the bacteria a chance to build up. Get your dental checkups and cleanings in Redwood City.

14. OUR CLINIC Blue Turtle Dental is a privately owned and operated dental suite that offers comfort, skill, and careful attention to detail. Not only do we utilize the latest in technology, our staff are experienced professionals trained in cultural sensitivity as well as being multilingual.

15. DENTAL SERVICES PREVENTIVE RESTORATIVE COSMETIC ORTHODONTIC PERIODONTIST Comprehensive exam, Our restorative care From replacing missing teeth Our orthodontic procedures We provide non-surgical teeth and periodontal procedures, including to teeth whitening, we offer help you maintain perfect and surgical procedures charting, x-rays, and crowns, bridges, fillings, many options to take care of teeth alignment and perfect to treat gingivitis, cleaning root canals, and dentures discolored, chipped, broken, bite with metal braces & periodontitis, and more misaligned or missing teeth. Invisalign. advanced periodontitis.

16. WHY CHOOSE US? TRUST - Our policy is based on integrity: we don’t sell you treatments that have no benefit to you just to improve our bottom line. INNOVATION -Leading edge, high-tech treatments are what makes our practice unique. EFFICIENCY - We offer a wide range of services, including extended office hours, to meet all of your scheduling needs. WORK ETHIC - The blueprint for our success is based on our professional code of Practicing Perfect and Ethical Dentistry

17. CONTACT ADDRESS 2290 Birch St, Suite A Palo Alto, CA 94306 81 Birch Street, Redwood City, CA 94062. PHONE (650) 503-6777 (650) 345-5300 EMAIL info@blueturtledental.com WEBSITE https://www.blueturtledental.com/

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