Cold and flu season in Bonita Springs is upon us. Knowing how to properly care for your smile while wearing Invisalign is essential if you want to maintain optimal oral health and keep from needing multiple aligner replacements. If you’re ready to take on the cooler temperatures and sickness that can often come with them, here are four tips to keep in mind that will ensure your tooth straightening treatment remains on track and your oral and overall health don’t suffer.
Maintain Your Oral Hygiene Routine
Brushing and flossing are much easier while wearing Invisalign clear aligners. Although you may not feel like getting out of bed to complete your oral hygiene routine, it is necessary during this time. The cold and flu can bring germs that spread easily, so expect your cosmetic dentist in Bonita Springs to reiterate the importance of keeping your teeth and gums healthy and your trays free of bad bacteria, harmful particles, and dried saliva.
Stay Hydrated By Drinking Water
You are instructed to remove your clear aligners anytime you eat or drink; however, when consuming cold water, you can leave them in. Staying hydrated is important to keep your salivary glands working at an optimal level. They flush out any bacteria and rinse away food particles. By drinking plenty of water, you can minimize your risk for cavities, gum disease, and other oral health problems that can cause a delay in your Invisalign treatment.
Wash Your Hands
Invisalign in Bonita Springs is a flexible alternative to metal braces, which means you can remove them easily. However, when battling a cold or the flu, your hands likely have many germs on them from coughing, sneezing, and blowing your nose. To avoid cross-contamination, make sure you’re washing your hands regularly. There are clear aligner accessories (i.e., OrthoKey) that make it possible to remove your aligners without touching them with your hands.
Clean Your Workspaces
If your cold isn’t bad enough to keep you at home and away from work, you’ll need to make sure to do a bit of extra cleaning around your computer and workspace. The reason for this is that you’ll likely lay your aligners down on the table or a notebook, and you’ll want to make sure it is free of any germs that may be traveling through the air as a result of your illness.
Wearing Invisalign while battling a cold or the flu may seem impossible, but as long as you take the proper precautions and be mindful when touching your aligners, you can continue to move through treatment without any problems or delays. You’ll also begin to notice an improvement in your oral and overall health by continuing to take care of your smile.
About the Practice
Pelican Landing Dental is based in Bonita Springs and is led by a team of three dental experts who are committed to the art and science behind healthy, beautiful smiles. Providing Invisalign as an alternative form of orthodontic treatment, our team is here to help you through the process as well as provide necessary tips that are designed to improve your oral health, reduce the risk of orthodontic delays, and keep germs from becoming a serious problem for your mouth and body. If you want some advice on how to navigate cold and flu season with Invisalign, visit the website or call (239) 948-2111.
