Breathe Easy Again: Clean Your Invisalign After Being Sick!
How ToIf you wear Invisalign, it is important to take extra steps to keep your aligners clean and free of bacteria, especially if you become sick. With cold and flu season upon us, it is essential to clean your aligners properly to prevent the spread of germs and to keep your mouth healthy. In this article, we will discuss the steps you should take to clean your Invisalign after being sick.
How to Clean Invisalign After a Cold or Flu
If you were recently diagnosed with a cold or flu and use Invisalign, it is important to take extra steps to keep your aligners clean and free of germs. It is recommended that you clean your aligners after every meal and at least once a day. It is especially important to clean your aligners after a cold or flu to prevent the spread of germs.
Below are steps to follow in order to properly clean Invisalign aligners after a cold or flu:
- Wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds before handling the aligners.
- Rinse the aligners with cool water.
- Prepare a cleaning solution by mixing a tablespoon of household bleach with one cup of lukewarm water.
- Place the aligners in the cleaning solution and allow them to soak for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Remove the aligners from the cleaning solution and rinse them with cool water.
- Brush the aligners with a soft toothbrush and a mild toothpaste to remove any remaining debris.
- Rinse the aligners with cool water one final time.
- Allow the aligners to air dry.
By following these steps, you will help ensure that your Invisalign aligners remain clean and free of germs after a cold or flu.
Best Practices for Cleaning Invisalign After a Respiratory Infection
It is important to maintain proper hygiene and sanitation when wearing Invisalign aligners, particularly during and after the recovery process of a respiratory infection. To help ensure your aligners remain clean and free from infection, the following best practices should be followed.
- Disinfect Your Aligners: Before and after wearing your aligners, it is necessary to disinfect them. This can be done by soaking them in a solution of 3 parts lukewarm water and 1 part hydrogen peroxide for up to 15 minutes. Be sure to rinse the aligners with cold water afterwards to remove any remaining hydrogen peroxide.
- Wear Protective Gear When Wearing Aligners: It is important to wear face masks and gloves when handling aligners. This will help protect your aligners from the spread of germs and bacteria.
- Practice Good Oral Hygiene: Make sure to brush and floss your teeth regularly while wearing your aligners. It is also important to use an antibacterial mouthwash to help prevent the spread of bacteria.
- Avoid Sharing Aligners: Sharing aligners can spread germs and bacteria amongst individuals. Therefore, it is important to avoid sharing or swapping aligners with other people.
- Clean Your Aligners Regularly: It is important to clean your aligners on a regular basis. This can be done by soaking them in a solution of lukewarm water and a mild dish soap. Be sure to rinse the aligners with cold water afterwards and allow them to air-dry before wearing them.
Following these best practices can help keep your aligners clean and free from infection. It is also important to see your doctor for regular check-ups to ensure your health is not compromised during and after the recovery process of a respiratory infection.
Tips for Keeping Invisalign Clean During Illness
- Continue to brush your Invisalign aligners with a soft-bristled toothbrush and toothpaste twice a day to remove plaque and bacteria from the surface of the aligners.
- Make sure to rinse your aligners with lukewarm water after brushing to remove any remaining residue from the toothpaste.
- Disinfect your aligners by soaking them in a denture cleaning solution or non-abrasive antiseptic solution for 10 minutes once a day.
- Avoid using hot water or boiling your aligners as this can cause them to warp and not fit correctly.
- While you are ill, try to avoid eating and drinking while wearing your aligners as saliva contains bacteria and can cause staining on the aligners.
- If your aligners become stained during your illness, you can use a whitening toothpaste to try and remove the stain.
- If you are experiencing a lot of nausea or vomiting during your illness, make sure to rinse your mouth out with water afterwards and brush your teeth and aligners as soon as possible to prevent the buildup of bacteria.
- Avoid using any abrasive cleaning products such as bleach, rubbing alcohol, or hydrogen peroxide to clean your aligners as these can damage the aligners and cause them to become discolored.
How to Sanitize Invisalign After Being
SickIf you are an Invisalign wearer and have been sick, it is important to properly sanitize your aligners to prevent reinfection and the spreading of germs. Fortunately, there are a few simple steps you can take to keep your aligners clean and free from germs so that you can safely wear them.
To begin, it is important to thoroughly rinse your aligners with cool water. This will help remove any bacteria and debris that may have accumulated on the aligners during your illness. After rinsing, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and mild toothpaste to gently scrub the aligners, paying close attention to the edges, where bacteria and debris can build up.
Once you’ve thoroughly cleaned the aligners, you can use an antibacterial mouthwash to sanitize the aligners. Simply fill a small cup with the mouthwash and let the aligners soak for a few minutes. This will help kill any remaining bacteria, as well as freshen your breath.
Finally, it is important to rinse the aligners again with cool water before putting them back in your mouth. This will help remove any remaining mouthwash residue, as well as any bacteria that may still be present.
By following these steps, you can help ensure that your aligners remain free from germs, so that you can continue wearing them with confidence.
Protecting Your Invisalign from Bacteria and Viruses After a Cold or Flu
When you have a cold or the flu, it is important to take the necessary steps to protect your Invisalign from bacteria and viruses. To ensure your Invisalign remains free from contamination, follow these simple precautions:
- Disinfect your Invisalign before and after each use. To do this, use a mild, alcohol-free disinfectant that is safe for use with Invisalign. This will help to reduce the risk of bacteria and viruses becoming trapped in your Invisalign and spreading to other parts of your mouth.
- Change your Invisalign daily. When you have a cold or the flu, your saliva and nasal secretions contain a higher amount of bacteria and viruses. Therefore, it is important to replace your Invisalign each day in order to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.
- Avoid sharing your Invisalign. When you have a cold or the flu, it is important not to share your Invisalign with others. This is because saliva and nasal secretions can easily be transferred through saliva transfer, which can increase the risk of spreading bacteria and viruses.
- Keep your Invisalign clean. Make sure to brush and floss your teeth regularly while wearing your Invisalign. This will help to reduce the amount of bacteria and viruses that can become trapped in your Invisalign.
By following these simple precautions, you can help to ensure that your Invisalign remains free from bacteria and viruses. This will help to reduce your risk of further illness and keep your Invisalign in top condition.
Q&A
How often should I clean my Invisalign after being sick?
You should clean your Invisalign aligners twice a day, even after being sick, to ensure they remain free of bacteria and debris.
What products should I use to clean my Invisalign after being sick?
You should use a soft-bristled toothbrush, a mild soap, and lukewarm water to clean your Invisalign aligners. Avoid using abrasive materials or bleaches, as these can damage the aligners.
What steps should I take to ensure my Invisalign aligners are completely clean after being sick?
After brushing your Invisalign aligners with a soft-bristled toothbrush and mild soap, you should rinse them thoroughly with lukewarm water and dry them with a clean cloth. This will help ensure that any bacteria or debris is removed.
Can I use mouthwash to clean my Invisalign aligners after being sick?
No, it is not recommended to use mouthwash to clean your Invisalign aligners as it can damage the aligners and irritate your gums.
How long should I wear my Invisalign aligners after being sick?
It is recommended to wear your Invisalign aligners for at least 20 hours a day for the best results. However, if you are still feeling ill or have a weakened immune system, you should speak to your dentist about the best treatment plan for you.
Conclusion
In conclusion, cleaning your Invisalign after being sick is an important step in maintaining your oral health. It is important to ensure that you brush your Invisalign thoroughly with a soft-bristled toothbrush and toothpaste and rinse with lukewarm water after each use. Additionally, you can use a denture-cleaning product, such as cleansing tablets or a denture-cleaning solution, to keep your Invisalign clean and free of bacteria. Following these steps will help keep your Invisalign in good condition and prevent further health issues.