On a day when you are sick, the last thing you ever think about is your orthodontic appliances. It’s understandable considering that your own physical health is a priority. However, you still want to make sure you maintain a good oral hygiene routine and follow the same rules and recommendations that apply to your orthodontic treatment. In addition, you will learn about these orthodontic tips in this guide.

These may be tips that you’re going to hear for the first time. The idea here is to make sure you preserve your oral health, even in times when you are sick. Let’s get right to the details and share what you need to know.

1. Prevent Dry Mouth With Proper Hydration

Did you know that a dry mouth can lead to a high risk of cavity development? What causes dry mouth in the first place? Dehydration is the cause. When you are dealing with the cold and the flu, the risk of dehydration will occur.

For this reason, make sure you are properly hydrated throughout the duration of your illness. If necessary, consider using a humidifier at night to ensure that the moisture levels in your home environment are balanced. Dry mouth can also hurt your orthodontic treatment, so consider this one of the most critical orthodontic tips to have in your mind.

2. Maintain Your Oral Hygiene Routine

Just because you are sick doesn’t mean you have to forego brushing and flossing. By neglecting your oral hygiene routine, you increase the risk of plaque buildup, teeth pain, and much more. Even when you are undergoing an orthodontic treatment, make sure you are doing the following twice daily – sick or not:

• Brush your teeth using a soft-bristled toothbrush.

• Floss every day. Go light when you are around brackets and wires.

• Freshen your breath and kill bacteria with an alcohol-free mouthwash.

3. Choose Sugar-Free Medicinal Options

This is a hidden risk that many sick people with orthodontic treatments don’t know about. On paper, medicine may seem like medicine when it comes to treating your illness. However, what might surprise you is that there are such medicines that contain sugar. Meaning you could be risking dental issues when you are meaning to recover from a cold or flu.

Whether you are wearing braces or clear aligners, sugar-free medicinal options are available. Choose carefully and look out for any labels that promise “sugar-free”. While recovering is a priority, don’t do it at the expense of your oral health – which is one of the orthodontic tips when sick you should never ignore.

4. Stick to Soft Foods

It’s one of the orthodontic tips that we share with you once you begin your treatment with braces. Another thing to remember is that a sore throat or congestion will make eating seem like a chore. Not to mention, there are certain foods that can cause irritation inside your mouth. Soft, easy-to-chew foods will be ideal here including:

• Yogurt
• Scrambled eggs
• Mashed potatoes
• Oatmeal
• Smoothies

Crunchy and sticky foods that damage your braces or get trapped between wires should be avoided. Know what you are eating before you risk such damage.

5. Change Your Toothbrush After Recovering From Illness

Germs will remain on your toothbrush after using it during an illness. Once you are beginning to feel better, it is crucial that you dispose of it properly and use a new one. This will be the best approach to preventing re-infection. At Bordentown Braces, we have seen quite a few instances of this – leading to postponed appointments that might hurt your orthodontic treatment. The last thing you need to do is use a toothbrush from when you are sick while you are healthy.

6. Clean Your Aligners and Retainers Regularly

If clear aligners are what you wear, thoroughly clean them. The reason is that bacteria associated with your illness can build up. Failing to clean them can lead to infections and bad breath. Use a separate soft toothbrush that you designate for cleaning your aligners and retainers with mild soap and warm water.

Soak them in an aligner cleaner so they are germ-free. That way, when you wear them, you will smile knowing you took the right precautions.

7. Don’t Breathe Through Your Mouth

This can be a challenge especially when you are dealing with nasal congestion. Yet, breathing through your mouth can cause dry mouth and additional discomfort. If you are dealing with congestion, use a saline spray or a humidifier to ease it while preventing increased dryness of your mouth – which as we’ve mentioned earlier can lead to increased risk of cavities and other dental issues.

8. Be Careful With Hot Beverages

Everybody knows that tea and warm drinks are the best go-to for the cold and flu. Even a sore throat can be relieved through such beverages. Here’s the thing: the temperature of these drinks will need to be taken into account when wearing braces or clear aligners (you should remove your aligners when drinking beverages anyway). Liquids that are extremely hot can increase the risk of warping your aligners or create discomfort around the brackets and wires of your braces.

In short, allow the beverages to cool off for a few minutes before drinking. Lukewarm will be sufficient, but when it’s too hot, you will certainly know it. If your beverage needs to be reheated, consider a 30 second reheat in the microwave – which will give you the ideal temperature that won’t hurt your appliances.

Are You Sick And One Of Our Patients? Contact Us For Advice

At Bordentown Braces, we are very attentive to our patients’ needs and concerns. If you are one of our patients and feeling ill, follow the advice we’ve outlined above. If you have any questions or concerns, we will be more than happy to provide you with the necessary guidance. Please note that if you have an upcoming appointment and are unable to make it due to illness, no worries – simply call our office and reschedule.

Need assistance for your orthodontic treatment while sick? Call Bordentown Braces today at 609-291-8555.