How to Take Care of Your Braces During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Because our offices are temporarily closed, Dr. Updike shares some tips on how to take care of your braces while staying safe at home as we all work together to make it through these unprecedented times.

Floss and Brush Your Teeth

It is more important than ever to practice excellent oral hygiene such as flossing daily and brushing your teeth twice a day. Many dentist and orthodontist offices are closed during the Stay-at-Home order, which means it will be difficult to receive care if there is a dental emergency. Additionally, practicing great oral hygiene will minimize the chances of cavities, gingivitis, and other dental diseases.

Be Cautious of Foods Consumed

Since most of us will be at home, we are more likely to snack and eat throughout the day. It is suggested to avoid overly crunchy, sticky, or hard foods or snacks, especially if you currently have braces. This will prevent the risk of a bracket falling off during the stay-at-home order. We may not be able to assist and reattach the bracket until after the stay-at-home order is lifted.

Disinfect Your Toothbrush

Your toothbrush is a breeding ground for germs and it is recommended to replace your toothbrush every 3 months. If you recently had a cold or flu, we recommend replacing your toothbrush or disinfecting it to avoid spreading any illnesses to your family members. We have listed some options on how you can disinfect your toothbrush below.

1. Swirl the bristles in antibacterial mouthwash for 30 seconds.
2. Dissolve 2 teaspoons of baking soda in a cup of water and soak the toothbrush in the solution.
3. Dilute 1 teaspoon of 3 percent strength hydrogen peroxide in 1 cup of water and swish the toothbrush bristles in the solution before brushing.
4. Soak the bristles in vinegar overnight once per week.
5. Dissolve a denture cleansing tablet according to the instructions on the label and soak the toothbrush bristles in the solution.

Don’t soak a toothbrush in mouthwash for longer than 15 minutes, and don’t reuse any mouthwash used for cleaning. It’s also inadvisable to put a toothbrush in a microwave or dishwasher. Heating the plastic on toothbrushes could damage the brushing edge.

Virtual Appointments

Dr. Updike is currently offering virtual appointments for current patients via email.  If you would like to participate, please contact us at info@updikeortho.com.

Note that if you are running low on rubber bands, please let us know and we will mail you additional rubber bands.  If you are under Invisalign treatment and are running out of aligners, please let us know and we can mail you additional aligners.  If you are at the end of a series of aligners and there are no more, please wear the last set for 2 weeks full time and then continue wearing them only at night.

Most importantly, we hope you are staying safe at home during these times. We are here to support you with any additional questions you may have. We look forward to seeing you in our offices again soon!