In this season of cold wintery day, cold and flu are more common then we’d like. When wearing Invisalign aligners or retainers they may be harder to shake off. Don’t panic! Here are a few tips to get rid of the germs once and for all.
Step one:
You should always consult your physician. If you think you have a case of strep throat.
Step two:
Change toothbrushes. (But keep that old one you’re going to need it later!).
Step three:
A cap full of bleach in a cup of water will do wonders. You can submerge your Aligners/Retainers in this solution for about 20 minutes. Remember that old toothbrush? Soak it in as well. The bristle part! Once your Aligners/retainers are ready to come out it is important to rinse them well, you don’t want to put this solution in your mouth. You can use your old toothbrush to scrub it clean with toothpaste. If you feel the need to be extremely thorough you can then submerge everything in whatever mouthwash you have at home.
Step four:
It is important to keep flossing and brushing your teeth while you’re sick. And you can keep making mouthwash baths every day until you are better.
Step five:
Get better soon!
Strep throat is a contagious infection, spread through close contact with an infected individual. A definitive diagnosis is made based on the results of a throat culture. However, this is not always needed as treatment may be decided based on symptoms. In highly likely or confirmed cases, antibiotics are useful to both prevent complications and speed recovery. Strep throat is a type of pharyngitis caused by a streptococcal infection. It affects the pharynx including the tonsils and possibly the larynx. Common symptoms include fever, sore throat, and enlarged lymph nodes. It is the cause of 37% of sore throats among children and 5-15% in adults.