5 Tips to Help You Stay Healthy During Cold and Flu Season

Cold and flu season is right around the corner! You are probably already planning on take precautions so you can stay as healthy as possible. The tips listed below may help you to reduce your risk of contracting an illness and facilitate a quick recovery if you do come down with something. Applying this information may also benefit your oral health!

Consume More Ginger

Ginger has a reputation as being great for the immune system, so it may help your body to prevent infections and fight illness. It also has strong anti-inflammatory properties that can benefit oral and overall health. It may even calm nausea if you come down with a stomach flu.

Ginger can be consumed in a wide variety of recipes, such as stir fry, soups, and more. You can also grind some and make a delicious tea with a bit of honey.

Stay Hydrated

Drinking plenty of water can play a role in preventing illness and flushing out toxins. If you catch a cold or the flu, you are at an especially high risk of developing a dry mouth, which can increase your chances of getting cavities, gum disease, and bad breath. Some medications can even worsen dry mouth. If you regularly sip on water, you can combat such problems and stay as healthy as possible even when you are feeling unwell.

Eat Spicy Foods

Spicy foods can help to clear up your sinuses, allowing you to breathe easier.  This can reduce your risk of dry mouth when you are fighting nasal congestion. Plus, some types of peppers are rich in vitamin C, which is great for your immune system. Just be careful not to go overboard; for some people, spicy foods can cause indigestion and other stomach issues.

Consume Enough Calcium

Calcium is an important mineral because it helps to maintain strong bones and teeth. That can be important during cold and flu season, especially if you are eating a lot of citrus fruits or other acidic items that are rich in vitamin C.  To make sure you get enough calcium, you can get things like almonds, kale, sunflower seeds, broccoli, and tofu.

Don’t Neglect Oral Hygiene

When you aren’t feeling well, you might be tempted to skip your daily oral hygiene routine. That’s a bad idea, especially since you might be breathing through your mouth, taking sweetened medications, or doing other things that could contribute to an overabundance of oral bacteria. Do your best to brush twice a day, but if you are really drained of energy and can only manage to brush once, do it at night.

Hopefully, you won’t get sick during the upcoming cold and flu season. If you do, the above tips may help you to get through it as easily as possible!

Meet the Practice

Dr. Preetha Thomas is an accomplished dentist who serves patients in the Southlake area. She has a strong holistic focus in her practice, so she is always looking for ways to help others improve their overall wellness. If you would like her guidance on how to maintain a healthy smile and a healthy body during cold and flu season, get in touch with Enclave Dental at 817-912-1218.