The past few years have made all of us more than familiar with staying home from work and school due to being sick. Maintaining braces can take energy and effort, so today, Kottemann Orthodontics is going to tell you how to maintain your braces during illness.
Putting Your Health First
Our doctors want to emphasize that your holistic health is important when you’re sick, and we acknowledge how difficult it can be to practice basic self-care and hygiene practices depending on the severity of your illness. We’ve compiled some valuable tips and tricks to help make this process less strenuous, so you can work smarter and not harder.
- Continue Brushing and Flossing: Brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss carefully around your braces. If you find brushing is too uncomfortable, especially with a sore throat, we recommend using an antimicrobial or fluoride mouthwash to rinse away bacteria and protect your teeth.
- Stay Hydrated: Hydration is key to recovery, so drink plenty of water. This also helps maintain saliva flow and wash away bacteria and food residue. If you’re drinking electrolyte beverages, opt for sugar-free versions when possible.
- Prioritize Rest: Your overall health is critical for the success of your orthodontic treatment, so please be sure to get plenty of rest to help your body recover from illness effectively.
- Stay in Contact with Kottemann Orthodontics: If you experience any unusual discomfort or damage, like broken brackets or loose wires, contact our team immediately for guidance. We can suggest short-term solutions or schedule a visit once you’re feeling back to normal. Virtual consultations might also be a good option if you can’t make an in-office visit while sick.
- Be Cautious with Medications: When consuming cough drops or liquid medications, you should likewise look for sugar-free versions to prevent sugar from sticking to your braces and teeth, which can negatively impact your teeth and treatment overall. If you must take these medications, rinse your mouth with water after taking them to wash away sugary residue.
- Stick to Soft Foods: When you’re under the weather, be sure to stick to eating soft foods like soups, mashed potatoes, yogurt, and smoothies which are gentle on your teeth and braces.
- Address Mouth Sores and Irritations: Should your braces cause mouth sores or irritation, apply orthodontic wax to your brackets and wires to soothe these symptoms. Gargling with warm salt water is a great way to help relieve any oral discomfort, as well as sore throats.
- Manage Dry Mouth: As we said, maintaining hydration is crucial, especially since dry mouth can be a common symptom of both illness and medication. Having a humidifier running at night helps keep the air moist, which helps avoid dry mouth while you’re sleeping.
- Take Care with Vomiting: If you’re vomiting, you should rinse your mouth with water to help neutralize stomach acid. Brushing your teeth right away isn’t a good idea, as the excess acid can soften enamel and cause damage. Wait about 30 minutes to give your enamel time to recover.
10. Pay Attention to Oral Sores: Some common illnesses like colds or the flu can lead to mouth sores, which may be worsened by braces. For this reason, you should keep a close eye on these sores and use over-the-counter ointments or gels recommended by your doctor to help speed up healing.
11. Don’t Skip Elastics: If we have prescribed elastics, you should wear them as directed. Consistency is key to keeping your treatment on track, especially with elastics.
12. Reduce Swelling and Pain: To remediate any swelling or discomfort in your mouth due to braces or illness, apply a cold compress or ice pack to your cheek. This can help reduce inflammation and numb the area.
13. Watch for Strange Symptoms: If you experience symptoms such as persistent swelling, severe pain, or other signs of an oral infection, it’s important to contact us as soon as you can. These could indicate an infection that needs prompt treatment, especially if your immune system is already battling another manner of infection.
14. Healing Takes Time: Some patients try to fast-track recovery to a point where they actually make things worse. We all have regular business to attend to, but remember that you must heal properly. Most illness is temporary, and with care, you’ll be back on track with your orthodontic treatment in no time. So try to stay positive, follow our advice, and be patient with yourself as you recover.
Taking Your Time
So, don’t be discouraged if you experience illness while you have braces—because you probably will at some point! We hope this blog has provided you with some ways to help make this difficult process a bit less difficult. Kottemann Orthodontics is always on call to help guide you in the right direction, so feel free to contact us when you’re unwell. We look forward to meeting you in Chaska, Maple Grove, Orono, or Plymouth.