MASON CITY, IA - Luke Tjaden is an all-star patient, even when under the weather."I brush my teeth about what i do normally even when I’m sick."
Mason City dentist, Jon Hardinger says that’s tough for some to do.
"You’re miserable and your nose is running and you can't breathe and can’t see. Who cares about your teeth? But try to keep up the mouth rinsing and brushing and flossing."
Especially since new study show these habits may keep you from getting sick. Our mouths are home to 300 species of bacteria. Hardinger says if your mouth is dry, saliva can't fight those germs and you're much more susceptible to a virus.
"Reducing dryness is a good thing when you have a cold, that's why I recommend a glycerin based mouthwash."
It can also help get rid of the cold. Surprisingly gargling mouth wash can often work better than other cold medications.
If you have periodontal disease, caused by plaque producing bacteria, it can really tax your immune system. So doctors go back to their old standard of brushing and flossing every day.
After a cold you can clean your toothbrush in the dishwasher, or just throw it out.
