The Steps To Take For Dental Emergencies The Steps To Take For Dental Emergencies

If you're taking OTC cold medications to soothe your symptoms or drinking sports drinks to stay hydrated, stop and try other methods to treat your illness. A number of cold medications, cough drops, lozenges, and sports drinks contain high amounts of sugar. Even if these things help you feel better, they can still rotten your teeth. Before you suck on another cough drop, keep reading. Here are two OTC treatments that cause tooth decay, as well as the alternatives you can use as replacements for them.

Sports Drinks

Sports drinks contain electrolytes, which are nutrients your body needs to stay hydrated and healthy. However, many of the most popular sports drinks on the market contain excessive amounts of sugar and carbohydrates that damage your tooth enamel over time. Sports drinks can contain almost 80 grams of sugar, depending on the brand. 

Sugar and carbohydrates convert or turn into lactic acid once they mix with the bacteria and saliva in your mouth. Lactic acid is a powerful and corrosive substance that slowly dissolves tooth enamel.

It can take a few months or several years for cavities to show on your tooth enamel. But consuming multiple sports drinks in a short amount of time places you at risk for tooth even sooner.

Avoid the problems above by making your own electrolyte drinks with green coconuts, organic honey and filtered water. The water from green coconuts contains antimicrobial ingredients that fight bacteria and other germs in the body. Coconuts won't get rid of a cold virus, but they can strengthen your immune system in order to fight it.

Honey also contains nutrients that strengthen the immune system, but you must use organic honey. Organic honey doesn't contain additives or preservatives that make it unhealthy or damage your teeth.

Unfiltered water is better for you because it doesn't contain the metals, bacteria and other problems regular tap water does. You need your body to be clean and strong. Filtered water helps you achieve this goal by reducing the bacteria and contaminants in your body and mouth.

Now, follow these steps:

• Purchase 4-5 green coconuts, then use a large, sharp knife and hammer to open them up
• Pour the watery contents of each coconut into a gallon-sized container, such as a clean milk jug or water pitcher
• Fill the container with 3-4 cups of filtered water 
• Place 2 teaspoons of organic honey into the container, then close the container and gently shake it to mix the contents together

Place the coconut and honey water in the refrigerator for one hour. Drink one cup or glass of your homemade beverage several times a day to help you feel better. 

Important Tip

You should discard your coconut and honey water after three days, even if it's still cold or smells fresh. Because organic honey doesn't contain preservatives, it can spoil. 

Cough Drops and Throat Lozenges

Although flavored and unflavored cough drops and lozenges can treat your sore throat and keep coughing at bay, they can also cause tooth decay. Like sports drinks, OTC throat and cough treatments contain sugars, such as sucrose and glucose. Even sugar-free brands contain some type of acid that can still harm your tooth enamel. 

The fruity flavors added to cough and throat OTC treatments often contain dyes that stain your tooth enamel. Stains can attract bacteria and encourage tooth decay and gum disease if the microorganisms penetrate the pores on your teeth crowns or travel inside the gums.

Instead of using OTC cough drops and lozenges, soothe your irritated throat and prevent coughing with other methods, such as placing a humidifier in the home to keep the air moist. A humidifier also removes airborne contaminants, such as dust and pet dander, that aggravate your immune system if you inhale them. 

Sipping a cup of warm unsweetened peppermint tea three times a day soothes your sore throat. The mint contains antioxidants that boost your immune system. Add a teaspoon of organic honey to sweeten your peppermint tea instead of table sugar. 

The last thing you can do is take a warm lavender bath right before you go to bed. Lavender opens up your nasal passages so that you can breathe better at night. You can find lavender oil at your local health and skin care store.

You should follow the tips above every day or until your cold symptoms clear up. 

If you need additional tips on how to stay cavity-free while you fight a cold, click here to find out more or contact your family dentist for assistance.