When the winter season arrives, colds and the flu commonly strike. No one enjoys suffering with a stuffy nose and aching body. To keep yourself healthy, there are a few oral care tips that will help prevent germs from taking hold in your mouth.

How Dental Care Affects Your Health. Your overall wellness is connected to your oral health. Since you brush your teeth everyday, it is essential to keep your toothbrush clean. According to The American Dental Association, after you finish brushing, you should rinse it under water to remove leftover toothpaste and debris. It is wise to store the brush in an upright position and allow it to air-dry. Covering a brush creates a moist environment that allows bacteria to thrive. To prevent contamination, it should not be stored in a shared holder. Also, you should never use a loved one's toothbrush at any point.

Replace Your Toothbrush. Dentists advise patients to replace their toothbrushes every three or four months. Even if it does not appear to be worn, it probably contains germs. If you have been sick with an illness like strep throat, you should discard the old brush and replace it to avoid recontamination.

Sanitize Your Toothbrush. Even when you are not sick, it is smart to sterilize your toothbrush once a week. This will kill bacteria that accumulates. You do not need to buy expensive equipment to sanitize your brush. While it is damp, it can be placed in the microwave for approximately one minute.

Prevent Cavities. Besides colds, winter is a time for holiday treats. Most people bake and keep tons of candy around the house. Since it is hard to keep from indulging your taste buds, you have to be vigilant and make sure your teeth are properly brushed. Eating too much sugar causes the mouth to produce acid, which causes decay. Brushing and flossing keeps these problems to a minimum.

For more information on how to maintain top oral health this winter, talk to the experts at Stoner Periodontic Associates. We take pride in helping patients stay healthy and maintain strong teeth.