Cold and flu season is upon us, and that means you’ll need to be extra careful to avoid getting sick. Having to take time off from work or school, missing out on fun seasonal activities, and falling behind on gift shopping are all unfortunate side effects of coming down with something. Unfortunately, being sick can also impact your smile. This is especially true if you’re undergoing Invisalign treatment. To help you avoid oral health issues, read on to learn about three tips for making it through cold and flu season with Invisalign.
Tip #1: Keep Your Teeth Clean
Brushing twice per day and flossing every night are key to keeping oral health issues from developing. During cold and flu season, keeping up with your oral hygiene routine is even more important. Cough syrup, cough drops, and other medicines that are common during cold and flu season are full of sugar. Bacteria in the mouth feed on this sugar and release acids that attack our tooth enamel and make our smiles more susceptible to decay.
Consider taking sugar-free variants of these medicines. You should also rinse with water right after taking your medicine. Additionally, be sure to take out your aligner before you consume anything other than water so you don’t accidentally stain or damage your trays.
Tip #2: Stay Hydrated
Being congested makes it hard to comfortably breathe through your nose. Breathing through your mouth instead leads to less saliva production. This causes dry mouth, which can raise your risk of oral health issues like cavities, mouth sores, and gum disease. This may end up interrupting your Invisalign treatment. Drinking plenty of water will keep your mouth moist. Additionally, take a dentist-approved decongestant so you can breathe more easily.
Tip #3: Keep Your Space Clean
When you have a sandwich from your favorite deli waiting for you, it might be hard to convince yourself to place your aligners in the proper spot. Some people place them on a napkin, which may result in them getting thrown away. Additionally, it might not be as sanitary as you think and can lead to you introducing new germs of bacteria into your mouth. Be sure to place your aligners in the right area and keep your space clean to make this less likely.
This cold and flu season, make sure to be mindful of how you’re caring for your smile. This will help you keep your Invisalign treatment on track so you can be on your way to a lovely, uniform smile you love!
About the Practice
Dental Designs of New England is led by Dr. Jini Shetty, Dr. Charles R. Braga, and Dr. Megha Saxena. They truly love what they do and administer treatments to help you keep your smile healthy and bright. If you have a crooked beam, they offer Invisalign to give you a smile you can’t wait to show off. Call Dental Designs of New England at (603) 429-2199 or visit their website for more information on Invisalign or to schedule an appointment.
