• Home
  • About Us
    • Dr. Phelan Thomas
    • About the Staff
    • Request an Appointment
    • What Can I Expect My First Visit?
    • Financial Policies
    • Contact Us
  • Cosmetic Dentistry
    • Smile Gallery
    • Porcelain Veneers
    • Beautiful Smile Guarantee
    • Porcelain Crowns
    • All-Porcelain Bridges
    • Invisalign
    • Composite Bonding
    • Tooth Colored Fillings
    • Teeth Whitening
  • Implants
    • Dental Implants
    • Dentures
  • Technology
    • DIAGNOdent
    • Electrosurgery
    • Air Abrasion
    • Panorex Imaging
    • Computerized Anesthetic
    • Dental Implant Placement System
    • Diagnostic Wax-up Model
    • Smile Blueprint
    • Intraoral Camera
    • Digital Photography
    • Vizilite
  • Other Services
    • Endodontics
    • Periodontal Disease
    • Pediatric Dentistry
    • Emergency Dentist
    • Occlusion Therapy
    • Preventive Dentistry
    • Gum Tissue Sculpting
    • Mercury-Free Dentist
  • Make a Payment

Iowa Center for Family and Cosmetic Dentistry - West Des Moines

Iowa Center for Family and Cosmetic Dentistry –  West Des Moines
  • Best Des Moines Dentist
  • Des Moines Holistic Dentist
  • Privacy Policy
  • Blog

Do I Throw Away My Invisalign Aligners When I Get Sick?

Posted on December 28, 2022 by writeradmin.

Recently, my entire family got the flu. I know I am supposed to throw away my toothbrush when I am sick. Should I also throw away the Invisalign aligners I am currently wearing? It is a lot cheaper to throw away a toothbrush than it is aligners, but I will do what I am supposed to. If I need to get rid of them do I move on to the next pair of aligners or do I ask my dentist to make another set?

Gabby

Dear Gabby,

Invisalign aligners

The idea that you need to throw away your toothbrush every time you have an illness is something that has been invented by the toothbrush companies which has been quite effective in upping their sales numbers. Unfortunately, it has misled a lot of people. When you have a virus, your body builds up antibodies and you are no longer at risk of catching that same strain. You can catch another strain but not the same one.

The same is true for your Invisalign aligners. I would recommend keeping up with your normal cleaning regimen, but there is no reason to get rid of them. You did bring up a good point about aligners though. Let’s say while you are eating, some little gremlin comes in and steals your aligners, because you’d never misplace them, of course. What do you do?

If you are very close to the end of your next set, it would be safe to just move on the next pair. I wouldn’t do that too often because your teeth need time for the bone to integrate with it. If you jump the line too often, then you are in danger of causing your teeth to become loose.  If you’re not close then it will be time to call your dentist and get another set made.

Keeping Your Teeth Healthy During Invisalign While Sick

There was one other issue I wanted to bring up about your illness. It is important you stay hydrated with any illness. Sometimes people turn to things like Gatorade and such, to help with their electrolytes during an illness. The only problem with that when you are wearing Invisalign is that the liquid will pool in your aligners. Sports drinks are loaded with sugar, which will sit on your teeth and eat away at the enamel.

While hydrating, try to do it with mostly water. If you need the sports drinks, just do it all in one go and then rinse out your mouth and your aligners in order to keep your teeth as sugar free as possible.

This blog is brought to you by Des Moines Dentist Dr. Phelan Thomas.

Filed Under: Invisalign Tagged With: Invisalign while sick, Invisible braces, staying hydrated with Invisalign, toothbrush change when sick

Recent Posts

  • Will Vaping Stain My Porcelain Veneers
  • Do I Throw Away My Invisalign Aligners When I Get Sick?
  • Do I Have to Choose Between Form and Function?
  • Unhappy with Porcelain Veneers
  • Brown Spots On Teeth

Categories

  • Best Des Moines Dentist
  • Cosmetic Dentist
  • Dental Bonding
  • Dental Emergency
  • Dental Implants
  • Dentures
  • Emergency Dentist
  • Full-Mouth Reconstruction
  • Gum Contouring
  • Holistic Dentist
  • Invisalign
  • Porcelain Veneers
  • Smile Makeovers
  • Teeth Whitening
  • Uncategorized

Archives

  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014

Contact Us

Iowa Center for
Family and Cosmetic Dentistry
4100 University, Suite 105
West Des Moines, IA 50266
New Patients Call:
Office: 515-223-8800
URL of Map

Office Hours


Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm

Read Our Reviews


SEO by Infinity Dental Web


View Map and Get Directions
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Dr. Phelan Thomas
    • About the Staff
    • Request an Appointment
    • What Can I Expect My First Visit?
    • Financial Policies
    • Contact Us
  • Cosmetic Dentistry
    • Smile Gallery
    • Porcelain Veneers
    • Beautiful Smile Guarantee
    • Porcelain Crowns
    • All-Porcelain Bridges
    • Invisalign
    • Composite Bonding
    • Tooth Colored Fillings
    • Teeth Whitening
  • Implants
    • Dental Implants
    • Dentures
  • Technology
    • DIAGNOdent
    • Electrosurgery
    • Air Abrasion
    • Panorex Imaging
    • Computerized Anesthetic
    • Dental Implant Placement System
    • Diagnostic Wax-up Model
    • Smile Blueprint
    • Intraoral Camera
    • Digital Photography
    • Vizilite
  • Other Services
    • Endodontics
    • Periodontal Disease
    • Pediatric Dentistry
    • Emergency Dentist
    • Occlusion Therapy
    • Preventive Dentistry
    • Gum Tissue Sculpting
    • Mercury-Free Dentist
  • Make a Payment
  • New patients
    (877) 631-9967

  • Existing patients
    (515) 223-8800

©2000-2023 Phelan R. Thomas, DDS. • All Rights Reserved

Privacy Policy

  • Best Des Moines Dentist
  • Des Moines Holistic Dentist
  • Privacy Policy
  • Blog