When you’re feeling under the weather, the last thing you might want to think about is your braces. However, keeping up with your oral hygiene is just as important during illness as it is at any other time. At Petrunic Orthodontics, Dr. Petrunic encourages patients to maintain their braces care, even when they’re not feeling their best. Let’s explore some simple yet effective ways to keep your braces in good shape while you’re recovering.
Staying Hydrated
Staying hydrated is key to both your recovery and keeping your braces in good shape while you’re sick. At Petrunic Orthodontics, Dr. Petrunic emphasizes the importance of staying on top of hydration to maintain your oral health. Here’s why it matters:
Why Water Matters
- Washes Away Bacteria: Water helps clear away food particles and bacteria that can get trapped in your braces, reducing the risk of plaque buildup.
- Combats Dry Mouth: Dehydration or medications can cause dry mouth, which decreases saliva production. Saliva is your body’s natural defense against bacteria, so drinking water helps keep your mouth moist and protected.
What to Drink
- Stick to Water: Water is your best friend during illness, helping keep your mouth clean and fresh.
- Avoid Sugary or Acidic Drinks: Beverages like soda, juice, and sports drinks can erode enamel and increase the risk of cavities. If you choose something other than water, use a straw to minimize contact with your teeth and braces.
Now that hydration is covered, let’s look at how to maintain your brushing and flossing routine during illness.
Brushing and Flossing During Illness
When you’re feeling sick, it’s easy to let your oral hygiene slip, but keeping up with brushing and flossing is crucial—especially when you have braces. Dr. Petrunic at Petrunic Orthodontics reminds patients that brushing and flossing regularly helps protect their teeth and braces from bacteria buildup, even when they’re not feeling their best.
Brushing Tips
- Stick to the Routine: Make sure to brush at least twice a day, ideally after meals. If you’re dealing with a dry mouth or taking medication that makes your mouth feel dry, brushing is even more important to remove bacteria.
- Use a Soft-Bristled Toothbrush: A soft-bristled toothbrush is gentler on your teeth and gums, especially when you’re feeling under the weather.
Flossing Tips
- Flossing Aids: If flossing feels like too much effort when you’re sick, use tools like floss threaders or a water flosser to make the process easier.
- Don’t Skip It: Flossing helps remove food particles from between your teeth and around your braces, preventing plaque buildup.
Maintaining these simple habits will help keep your braces clean and effective. Next, let’s cover how to manage your braces if you experience nausea or vomiting.
Managing Nausea and Vomiting
When you’re sick, nausea and vomiting can sometimes be part of the package. This not only takes a toll on how you feel but can also affect your teeth and braces due to the acids in your stomach. Here’s what to do if it happens:
Rinse First, Brush Later
After vomiting, rinse your mouth with water to wash away stomach acids. Avoid brushing immediately—wait about 30 minutes to prevent spreading the acid across your teeth, which can cause more damage.
Use Mouthwash
If you want to freshen up after rinsing, use a fluoride mouthwash. This can help neutralize the acids without the need for immediate brushing.
Brush Gently
After waiting, brush your teeth using a soft-bristled toothbrush. Be gentle, as your enamel may be weakened from the stomach acids.
These quick steps help protect your teeth and braces during those unpleasant moments. Now, let’s explore the best foods to eat while sick that won’t harm your braces.
Choosing Braces-Friendly Foods When You’re Sick
When you’re feeling under the weather, sticking to soft, braces-friendly foods can make eating easier and help protect your braces. At Petrunic Orthodontics, Dr. Petrunic encourages patients to focus on foods that are gentle on their teeth and won’t damage brackets or wires. Here are some top picks:
Soft Foods to Enjoy
- Broth-based Soups: Easy to eat and hydrating, soups are a great option when you’re sick.
- Mashed Potatoes: Comforting and easy to chew, perfect when your appetite is low.
- Applesauce: Gentle on braces and easy on the stomach.
- Smoothies: Packed with nutrients, smoothies can be a refreshing and easy-to-digest option. Just avoid seeds or hard chunks.
- Scrambled Eggs: A protein-rich, soft option that’s gentle on your braces.
What to Avoid
- Crunchy or Sticky Foods: Foods like chips, popcorn, or chewy candies can damage your braces, especially when you’re not feeling well.
- Hard Foods: Things like raw vegetables or nuts can put unnecessary strain on your braces and should be avoided until you feel better.
By choosing soft, nutritious foods, you can recover comfortably while keeping your braces safe. Up next, we’ll cover how to deal with dry mouth while you’re sick.
Dealing with Dry Mouth
Dry mouth can be a common side effect of illness, especially if you’re taking certain medications or are dehydrated. When you have braces, a dry mouth increases the risk of plaque buildup, which can lead to cavities or gum issues. Dr. Petrunic at Petrunic Orthodontics recommends staying proactive to keep your mouth as moist as possible.
Ways to Combat Dry Mouth
- Stay Hydrated: Sip water regularly throughout the day to keep your mouth moist.
- Chew Sugar-Free Gum: Chewing sugar-free gum can help stimulate saliva production, which is essential for washing away bacteria.
- Use an Alcohol-Free Mouthwash: Some mouthwashes contain alcohol, which can dry out your mouth even more. Instead, opt for an alcohol-free option to freshen your breath without contributing to dryness.
- Consider Sugar-Free Lozenges: These can also help promote saliva flow and keep your mouth feeling more comfortable.
With these simple habits, you can minimize the effects of dry mouth and keep your braces and teeth in good shape.
Braces Care, Even When You’re Under the Weather
Feeling sick doesn’t mean your braces care takes a break! By staying hydrated, maintaining oral hygiene, and sticking to braces-friendly foods, you can keep your treatment on track. Dr. Petrunic and the team at Petrunic Orthodontics are here to help, even when you’re not feeling your best. Schedule a free consultation at our Prattville office today!