3 Orthodontic Tips When You Have A Cold Or Get The Flu

Published by Dr. Charles Gemmi

A Board Certified Orthodontist and a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics, Dr. Charles Gemmi has been a practicing orthodontist with Orthodontics Limited since 2000 and is a member of the teaching staff at Einstein Medical Center. Orthodontics Limited is a Diamond+ Provider of Invisalign in Philadelphia and Hatboro, PA.

When the cold and flu season strikes, your teeth and braces are probably the last things you’re thinking about as you reach for another tissue! But there are some things related to that cold or flu that can affect your oral health.

Since tooth decay and gum disease can be especially risky during orthodontic treatment, we want you to be conscious of these three things:

Tip 1: Avoid Dry Mouth By Staying Hydrated

Dry mouth increases cavity risk. Most colds come with a giant side order of stuffy nose. We respond by breathing through our mouths! Doing so, combined with decreased saliva production during sleep, makes our mouths more vulnerable to harmful bacteria.

Tip 2: Keep The Bad Stuff Off Your Teeth

  • Are you sucking on cough drops all day? Most are loaded with sugar. Opt for sugar-free cough drops if possible. AND, be sure not to bite down on those super-hard drops.
  • Cough syrup is loaded with sugar too. If you take cough syrup, rinse your mouth out before going back to bed.
  • Stomach acid is hard on teeth. Sorry to bring this up, but if you’re throwing up, keep your teeth rinsed and clean.

Tip 3: Don’t Skip Brushing/Flossing

We know it’s tough when you’re sick, but don’t skip your normal brushing or flossing routine just because you’re feeling really tired. Your oral health while you’re in braces is just too important to neglect. (By the way, did you notice the kitty in the photo above? We think she’s smelling his breath because he hasn’t brushed in days.)

A Few More Practical Tips For Staying Healthy

Stay healthy this flu season! Remember to sneeze into your elbow and wash your hands often to keep viruses from spreading.

And This One Is Just For Fun…

If you’re sick, get feeling better soon! And thanks for your trust in our orthodontic practice.

 

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2 responses to “3 Orthodontic Tips When You Have A Cold Or Get The Flu”

  1. Tom says:

    orthodontic retainers cause allergies like from cough cold asthma to severe gum swelling and other unspecified.
    some are allergic to nickel in braces and some to plastics and some to rubber bands..
    PLEASE do a lot of allergy tests before putting anything into your mouth.

  2. Luke Smytheman says:

    I have Invisalign and was wondering if I need to take the trays out if I use sugar-free cough drops?

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