Q: Hi Jay,Your office is always clean and bright and your staff is friendly.  I have a question about my 9 year-old.  What is the most dental-friendly option for when he has a sore throat and wants a cough drop to go to sleep with?  I assume sugarless ones are preferred and nothing at all after brushing is ideal, but do you have a recommendation for something to keep his throat moist and comfortable until he goes to sleep?  Jeanne

A: For a short period of time sugarless cough drops should be fine.  We hesitate to recommend falling asleep with a cough drop due to the potential choking hazard.  You can also allow him to chew a sugarless gum with Zylatol to increase saliva flow.  We hope he feels better soon!