Cough Syrup and Cavities

Going to school means exposure to a host of flu and cold germs, and a parent’s natural inclination when a child is sick is to reach for over the counter cough syrup. Unfortunately, liquid cough and cold medicine is made with ingredients that can lead to tooth decay.

 

Why are cough medicines bad for your child’s teeth?

 

• Bacteria in your child’s mouth feeds on sugar. Many cough medications contain high fructose corn syrup that fuels bacteria, forming acids that cause decay.
• Many cough syrups also contain alcohol that dry your child’s mouth. When your child has less saliva to wash away the food residue, sugar and acid remain on his teeth longer, causing decay.
• Many cough medicines contain antihistamines that have a high acidity level and acids can erode your child’s tooth enamel.
• Often these medications are taken at night before the child goes to bed, which means the sugar and acid will remain on your child’s teeth much longer than during the day when saliva production is increased.

 

Dr. Yury Slepak, an American Board Certified Pediatric dentist with Brooklyn Pediatric Dentistry, has some recommendations to help alleviate your child’s cold symptoms.

 

• If possible, choose a pill form instead of liquid cough medicine.
• If your child can’t swallow pills, give the medication with a meal. That way your child’s natural saliva production will wash away the sugar and acids.
• Make sure your child brushes his teeth after taking syrup medication.
• If brushing isn’t possible, have your child rinse his mouth after taking the medication.

 

Cold and flu season presents challenges for every parent, but with the proper care of your child’s teeth, a common childhood illness will not have lasting consequences.