The Link Between Poor Oral Hygiene and a Sore Throat
A sore throat can be very inconvenient and irritating. Bad oral hygiene is not the first thing you might think of when dealing with a sore throat, but it can actually be one of the causes. As evidenced by the negative repercussions on health caused by bad oral hygiene, there are several risks that come with having unhealthy teeth and gums.
Mouth ulcers are one cause of a painful throat and tongue. These ulcers can be caused by cuts from sharp foods, bacteria, and canker sores. Mouth ulcers will also prevent proper nutrients from reaching the mouth.
What are the signs and symptoms of a sore throat?
If you’re having a sore throat, there could be a variety of reasons. Some common ones are dental or oral irritation. You’ll typically see one or more of these symptoms:
- pain and difficulty swallowing
- swollen tongue
- sensitivity to hot or cold foods
- blisters containing fluid
- blisters containing fluid
- fever or chills
- sweating
There are various causes of a sore throat, so you should contact your doctor to know what they’ll prescribe. These include viral infections, bacterial infections, irritants, and certain chemical treatments.
How to Treat a Sore Throat
Taking better care of your teeth will eliminate the causes of a sore throat. Brush your teeth twice a day, floss every day, and rinse your mouth daily with mouthwashes that clean and soothe ulcers and other mouth irritation.
Luckily, there are many home remedies that can reduce minor sore throats. Gargling with lukewarm water mixed with salt and turmeric powder will provide relief to your sore throat. Another way to heal some minor soreness is to increase the dosage of honey in hot water. However, remedies containing honey, lemon, or juice should be used sparingly as too much sugar will cause cavities.
If you maintain your dental care routine, you should be able to clear up the sore throat within a week. Experiments have shown that performing simple home remedies can help heal the sore throat. Thus, it’s important for your dental health and general wellness to brush your teeth twice a day and floss once a day.
