Can the Common Cold Affect My Mouth?

The common cold is quite inconvenient. It not only affects the nose, throat, and head, but it also affects the mouth. If you’re not careful, the oral health can be impacted, which can make your smile vulnerable to dental issues and even pain. To explain a little more, our dentist, Dr. Vincent J. Giaimo, is happy to tell you what a common cold can do to your mouth.

First, it can cause tooth pain. Your largest sinus cavity on your face sits right above your upper jaw. If you have a sinus infection, fluid fills that cavity. At this point, the fluid produces a strong pressure that pushes down on the roots of the teeth, which causes a toothache. Another thing that can cause tooth pain is a cavity that develops after having liquid cough and cold medicine. So, please make sure to brush your teeth after you take the medication.

Second, it can cause bad breath. When you have a cold, excess mucus drips from your nose to the back of the mouth. The mucus then creates an environment where bacteria thrive. The bacteria grow and multiply at the back of the throat and release an odor, which causes an odorous breath. The best way to prevent this from happening is to blow your nose frequently and slow the flow of mucus to the back of the mouth as much as possible.

Third, it can cause dry mouth. Dry mouth is common because it’s tough to breathe through the nose when it’s runny or stuffy. This makes you breathe through the mouth. As you breathe through the mouth, the saliva dries up and makes the mouth dry. This can be a problem because saliva washes bacteria away from the teeth and gums. So, make sure to sip on plenty of liquids throughout the day.

Please do your best to keep your smile in top-top shape when you’re sick in Amsterdam, New York. For more information and details, please contact Vincent J. Giaimo, D.D.S., L.L.C. at (518) 843-9177 at your earliest convenience. When you reach out to our dental team, we will be excited to help you!