{"id":387,"date":"2020-11-03T12:38:00","date_gmt":"2020-11-03T12:38:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.flennikendental.com\/blog\/?p=387"},"modified":"2020-12-18T14:18:26","modified_gmt":"2020-12-18T14:18:26","slug":"surviving-cold-and-flu-season-during-an-invisalign-treatment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.flennikendental.com\/blog\/surviving-cold-and-flu-season-during-an-invisalign-treatment\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Survive Cold and Flu Season When You Have Invisalign"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The cold and flu season is in full effect, and you\u2019re just trying to stay healthy. Because they are frequently removed and placed back into your mouth, using Invisalign can expose you to more germs than usual. This puts you at risk for any illnesses that may be going around your office, school or community. Keep reading to learn a few tips and tricks on protecting your health during your Invisalign<\/a> treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Keep Your Hands Clean<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This may seem obvious, but washing your hands before you touch anything that goes into your mouth is your first line of defense when it comes to avoiding illness this season. Germs are everywhere, so it\u2019s important to keep your hands clean every time you insert or remove your aligners. Washing your hands isn\u2019t always possible, so you should try to keep hand sanitizer nearby. For extra protection, it may be a good idea to purchase a clear aligner removal tool that can be kept inside your storage case. This will keep you from having to place your fingers deep into your mouth when it\u2019s time to take out your aligners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Store Your Aligners Properly<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It might be easy to simply place your Invisalign trays on a napkin while you eat, but you are putting yourself at risk! This is the perfect time for them to attract germs. Viral bacteria can build up on your aligners and cause you to become ill. Every time you take out your trays, you should place them in their case to prevent them from getting lost or damaged, but more importantly, so they don\u2019t get you sick!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep Personal Spaces Clean<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you frequently use a cell phone, work on a computer, sit at a desk or use equipment throughout your day, it is crucial to keep things clean. Even if you are the only one who touches these items, you are still at risk of picking up germs. A study performed by microbiologists at the University of Arizona found that cell phones often contain 10x more bacteria than toilet seats and desks can have up to 400x more!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to Do If You Get Sick\u2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You can\u2019t avoid all germs, so you may end up catching a cold. If you do, it\u2019s not the end of the world. Here are a few ways to handle getting sick during your Invisalign treatment:<\/p>\n\n\n\n