Under the Weather? How to Protect Your Teeth and Gums During Cold and Flu Season

By Doctor Mayora, Maycer Dental, La Mesa, CA

Even in sunny La Mesa, fall and winter bring their share of sniffles, sore throats, and coughs. When you're feeling run down, your teeth are probably the last thing on your mind. But the things we reach for when we're sick, like cough drops, sweet drinks, and decongestants, can quietly affect your oral health. At Maycer Dental, we believe oral health is whole-body wellness, so here are our practical, dentist-approved tips to help families across La Mesa and San Diego keep their smiles healthy while they recover.

1. Keep Brushing and Flossing, Even When You Feel Awful

When you're tired and congested, it's tempting to skip your routine. Try not to. Brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and cleaning between your teeth once a day keeps plaque from building up while your body is busy fighting off a bug.

A few simple hygiene habits help everyone at home, too:

• Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze.
• Never share toothbrushes, and store family members’ brushes so the heads don’t touch.

2. Do You Need to Replace Your Toothbrush After Being Sick?

This is one of the most common questions we hear. According to the American Dental Association, you usually don't need to replace your toothbrush just because you had a cold or the flu, since you're unlikely to reinfect yourself. That said, if you're unsure or your brush is nearly due anyway, swapping it out is a perfectly reasonable choice. As a general rule, replace your toothbrush (or electric brush head) every three to four months, or sooner if the bristles look frayed.

3. Choose Sugar-Free Cough Drops and Lozenges

Many cough drops are essentially hard candy. When you suck on them throughout the day, your teeth are bathed in sugar for hours, giving cavity-causing bacteria plenty of fuel. Check the label for ingredients like sugar, glucose, fructose, or corn syrup, and look for sugar-free options instead. Many sugar-free lozenges are sweetened with xylitol, which does not feed cavity-causing bacteria the way sugar does.

4. Fight Dry Mouth: Hydration Is Your Best Friend

A stuffy nose often means breathing through your mouth, especially at night. On top of that, common cold and allergy medications, including antihistamines and decongestants, can reduce saliva. Saliva is one of your mouth's natural defenses: it helps rinse away food particles, neutralize acids, and protect enamel. When your mouth is dry, your risk of cavities can go up.

To keep saliva flowing:

• Sip water throughout the day. Water is the safest drink for your teeth.
• Try a sugar-free lozenge or sugar-free gum.
• Consider a cool-mist humidifier in the bedroom if you’re breathing through your mouth at night

If dry mouth continues long after you've recovered, let us know. Ongoing dry mouth is worth discussing at your next visit.

5. Be Smart About Comfort Drinks

Tea with honey and lemon, juice, and sports drinks feel soothing, but many are sugary, acidic, or both. Sports drinks can help replace electrolytes, but use them in moderation and choose sugar-free versions when you can. Enjoy tea without added sugar, and drink juices with meals rather than sipping them all day.

6. If You’re Vomiting, Rinse First and Brush Later

Stomach bugs can expose your teeth to strong stomach acid. Your first instinct might be to brush right away, but brushing immediately can rub that acid into softened enamel. Instead, the ADA recommends swishing with water, a diluted mouth rinse, or a mix of one cup of water and one teaspoon of baking soda. Then wait about 30 minutes before brushing.

7. Tooth Pain With a Cold? It Could Be Your Sinuses

The roots of your upper back teeth sit very close to your maxillary sinuses. When the sinuses are congested or inflamed, the pressure can make those teeth feel achy or sensitive, often on both sides. Sinus-related discomfort usually improves as the congestion clears. However, pain that is sharp, focused on one tooth, comes with facial swelling, or lingers after your cold is gone could be a sign of a dental problem such as a cavity, cracked tooth, or infection. In that case, it's best to have us take a look.

Prevention Is the Best Medicine: Your Oral Wellness

Plan for the Season

Regular checkups and cleanings allow us to catch small problems early, before they become painful or more involved. Healthy gums matter, too; learn more about gum disease prevention and treatment. This is also a great time of year to schedule your visit: many dental insurance plans reset on January 1, so using your remaining benefits before year-end is a smart move. We accept all PPO insurance, and if you don't have insurance, our in-office Oral Wellness Plan makes routine preventive care accessible. You can also check our special offers. And once you're feeling better, if you've been thinking about brightening your smile for the holidays, ask us about professional Zoom teeth whitening, Invisalign, or a complete smile makeover. You can browse real results in our smile gallery.

When to Call Us: Emergency Dental Care in La Mesa

Sometimes a toothache isn't just your sinuses. If you have severe or throbbing tooth pain, swelling in your face or gums, a fever with dental pain, or a broken tooth, don't wait. Call Maycer Dental at (619) 461-6040. Our emergency dentist in La Mesa team will do our best to see you promptly. If you have trouble breathing or swallowing, or swelling that is spreading quickly, go to the nearest emergency room or call 911.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I throw away my toothbrush after having a cold or the flu?

Usually it isn't necessary, according to the American Dental Association. If you'd feel better replacing it, or it's close to the three-to-four-month mark, go ahead and swap it out. Never share toothbrushes.

Are cough drops bad for my teeth?

Regular cough drops often contain sugar, and using them frequently can increase your risk of cavities. Choose sugar-free cough drops and drink water throughout the day.

Why do my upper teeth hurt when I have a sinus infection?

The roots of the upper back teeth sit close to the sinuses, so sinus pressure can cause aching in those teeth. If the pain stays focused on one tooth, is severe, or continues after your sinuses clear, schedule a dental exam.

Can cold medicine cause dry mouth?

Yes. Antihistamines and decongestants commonly reduce saliva. Stay hydrated, try sugar-free gum or lozenges, and tell your dentist if dry mouth persists.

Feel Better Soon, and Keep Smiling

We listen, we educate, we prevent, and we care. Whether you need a routine cleaning, help with a toothache, or a plan for your dream smile, Dr. Mayora and Dr. Cervantes are here for you and your family.

Maycer Dental
8341 La Mesa Blvd, La Mesa, CA 91942
Phone: (619) 461-6040
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