Invisalign is a popular alternative to traditional braces because it’s more discrete and convenient. Instead of having bulky metal brackets installed on your teeth, this therapy uses clear plastic aligner trays to gently reposition them. However, they sit flush against your teeth and gums so you’re more likely to develop tooth decay and gum disease, which is particularly risky during cold and flu season. Because it’s harder for you to clear away the germs, you’ll need to take some extra precautions. Keep reading to learn 3 tips for navigating illness with Invisalign!
Tip #1: Stay Hydrated
One of the best things you can do for yourself when you’re sick is to drink plenty of water. It regulates bodily functions like your temperature and your immune system, as well as loosens the mucus causing your stuffy nose or sore throat.
It also protects your grin in more ways than one. For example, some medications cause dry mouth which allows harmful bacteria to thrive. Water rinses them off your teeth and aligners to protect them. It also has a nearly neutral pH value to counterbalance acidity from the foods you eat, which can erode the plastic trays as well as your protective enamel.
Tip #2: Keep Your Hygiene Routine
It’s common to let healthy habits slide when you’re feeling under the weather, but now it’s more important than ever to keep your teeth clean. For starters, you’re probably using plenty of sugary cough drops, syrups, or other medicines for relief from your many symptoms. The sugar content attracts toxic microbes that cause cavities, so you’ll need to keep brushing and flossing your teeth twice daily.
If you’re experiencing nausea and vomiting, you should rinse your teeth with water but don’t brush them right away. They’ve been exposed to stomach acid which weakens your enamel, and you don’t want to scrub it away.
Tip #3: Wash Your Hands
If you’re quarantined or avoiding people, then it’s tempting to let this habit slide. Many patients figure that because they’re alone and are only exposed to their own germs, they don’t have to wash their hands as frequently. This is risky behavior with Invisalign because you must remove and replace them throughout the day to eat or drink anything. You’ll be reintroducing those particles to your mouth every time you do if you aren’t keeping your hands clean.
Taking a few preventative measures can help you recover more quickly without interrupting your Invisalign treatment!
About the Practice
At Parker Dental & Orthodontics, you and your family benefit from a team of dental experts who provide a full range of oral health services, including Invisalign. We believe that with excellence, trust, and caring we can improve our patients’ quality of life by improving their dental condition. Using state-of-the-art technology at several convenient locations, you’re sure to receive expedient and effective treatment options. You’re welcome to request an appointment on the website or call our West Mobile location at (251) 634-2341.