Clear aligners may be easy to maintain, but what is required to keep them germ-free during cold and flu season? With many medications causing dry mouth, staining, etc., finding a way to navigate this time of year while wearing these trays is essential. Read on to discover how to not only safeguard your aligners but also take proper care of your smile while treating the cold or flu.
Stay Hydrated by Drinking Lots of Water
Various cold medicines can cause dry mouth – a problem that forms when saliva production slows down and cannot adequately flush out harmful bacteria or neutralize acids. Breathing through your mouth because of a stuffy nose or simply inhaling cold air while outside can also cause this problem to occur.
Drinking lots of water, though, can keep your mouth and aligners moist, which ultimately reduces the chances of dental decay, cavities, and gum disease. It also lowers the risk of bad breath.
Maintain Your Oral Hygiene Routine Even When You’re Sick
Even if the cold or flu causes you to spend more time in bed than at school or work, don’t let it interfere with your oral hygiene routine. This means waking up and brushing, flossing, and rinsing after removing your aligners.
Take time to properly clean your trays to remove saliva, germs, and harmful bacteria that formed overnight so that it does not transfer back to your teeth.
Make sure to complete the same steps before going to bed, but also soak your clear aligners in a denture solution to put them through a more thorough cleaning process. This will ensure they are safe to reinsert before calling it a night.
Keep Your Aligners & Accessories Clean
Your hands touch everything, so when the cold or flu takes root, making sure your aligners and accessories remain clean is important. Apart from practicing thorough (and correct) handwashing, disinfect your aligners by soaking them once a day, and clean out your protective case with soap and water. Any airborne or physical bacteria that accumulate can be transferred to your trays and back to your mouth if you’re not careful.
Don’t let the cold and flu cause problems with your clear aligner treatment. Take the necessary steps to keep your smile, trays, and accessories clean so that you can continue to move toward a straighter, healthier smile in the near future.
About Grand Dental – South Elgin
At Grand Dental – South Elgin, we understand there can be challenges that occur while wearing clear aligners. With the help of our expert dental team, we can make sure you have the tools, the instructions, and the necessary tips to keep your smile and aligners healthy. Visit our website or call us at (847) 999-0935 if you want to schedule a consultation to discuss ways to safeguard your orthodontic treatment this time of year.