I’ve had quite a bug. We’ve been sick for days. I started feeling better and then ended up sick again. I wonder if I should have thrown out my Invisalign aligners and gotten new ones. I know you’re supposed to do that with a toothbrush after an illness.
Margie H.
Dear Margie,
The notion that you need to replace your toothbrush after each illness was invented by the toothbrush companies. Once you’ve gotten an illness, you’ve already got the strain of bacteria etc. that infected you so it being on your toothbrush or Invisalign aligners won’t infect you. It can infect someone else if you happen to kiss them while infected.
If you’ve gotten sick again after starting to heal it could be for one of two things. Either you tried to do too much once you began feeling a bit better and wore yourself out. Or, you’ve developed a new strain of illness. Neither will affect your Invisalign aligners.
Drinks and Invisalign
One thing to be aware of with Invisalign is what you drink. It’s important you stay hydrated while recovering from an illness. Many people prefer drinking something such as Gatorade for their hydration because it tastes more appealing to them than water.
The problem with that during your Invisalign treatment is the sugar. Gatorade is loaded with sugar which will get trapped in the aligners. That will eat away at your enamel leading to cavities or worse. If you want to avoid needing dental fillings during your treatment, drink water while your aligners are in and Gatorade while they’re out.
Mini Smile Makeover with Invisalign
Once you’re feeling better, you may want to ask your dentist for some teeth whitening gel. Your Invisalign aligners do a fantastic job doubling as teeth whitening trays. If you’re interested in that, it saves you quite a bit of money.
Patients who combine Invisalign and teeth whitening find it’s like getting a mini smile makeover. It gives them an air of confidence they previously didn’t have.
This blog is brought to you by La Jolla Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Stephen Doan.