Cold and flu season creates a unique challenge for families navigating orthodontic treatment. When illness spreads through a household, most parents think about hand-washing, hydration, and rest, but orthodontic appliances are rarely on the radar. Braces, retainers, and aligners can harbor bacteria and viruses if not properly maintained, and neglecting hygiene during this time of year can slow recovery and compromise both oral and overall health.
At Eisenberger and Meister Orthodontics, Dr. Matthew Meister and the team understand that keeping patients healthy means providing guidance that goes beyond the chair. With a combined 35 years of orthodontic experience and a deep commitment to personalized care, our practice wants every family in the Passaic community to feel confident managing their orthodontic treatment through every season, including the sickest ones. Here are three practical tips to help protect your child’s appliances and health when illness hits.
Tip 1: Clean Appliances More Frequently When Sick
Under normal circumstances, a consistent brushing and cleaning routine is enough to maintain healthy appliances. During illness, however, that routine needs to be more frequent. When a child is sick, the mouth becomes an environment where bacteria and viral particles accumulate more rapidly, particularly around brackets, wires, and the surfaces of retainers or aligners.
Brushing after every meal remains essential, but during a cold or flu, rinsing appliances mid-day with an antibacterial, alcohol-free mouthwash adds an important layer of protection. For removable appliances like clear aligners or retainers, rinsing with lukewarm water each time they are taken out can help reduce buildup. Avoid hot water, as it can warp plastic components and compromise the fit of the appliance.
It is also worth noting that toothbrushes should be replaced after an illness clears. The same applies to any cleaning tools used on removable appliances. Starting fresh after recovery ensures that reintroduction of bacteria does not undo the healing process.
Tip 2: Be Mindful of Sick-Day Foods and Drinks
When children are under the weather, dietary habits shift significantly. Soft foods are easier to tolerate, which is helpful for those in orthodontic treatment, but many go-to sick-day options are high in sugar or acid. Flavored electrolyte drinks, fruit juices, honey-based teas, and flavored throat lozenges are all common culprits that can damage enamel and increase bacterial activity around brackets and wires.
Encouraging your child to rinse with plain water after consuming sugary or acidic beverages can reduce the impact on their appliances and teeth. When selecting throat drops or cough syrup, look for sugar-free options whenever possible. The CDC estimated that the 2023–2024 flu season resulted in approximately 40 million flu illnesses, which means a significant portion of families with children in braces or other appliances are navigating this challenge every year. Small daily choices during illness can prevent bigger dental issues from developing down the line.
Staying hydrated is also critical. Illness and certain medications can cause dry mouth, which reduces saliva production. Saliva plays a key role in neutralizing acids and rinsing the mouth naturally, so reduced saliva flow during sickness can accelerate plaque accumulation around appliances.
Tip 3: Replace Disposable Items and Sanitize What You Can
One step many families overlook after recovering from a cold or flu is the sanitizing or replacement of anything that regularly contacts the mouth. For patients with LightForce braces or traditional brackets, this applies primarily to toothbrushes and any interdental brushes used around brackets. For those wearing removable aligners or retainers, the appliances themselves should be sanitized thoroughly using a dentist-approved cleaning solution before returning to full-time use.
Retainer and aligner cleaning tablets dissolved in water are one of the most effective and accessible options for sanitizing removable appliances after an illness. Soaking the appliance for the recommended time and rinsing thoroughly before reinserting gives your child a clean start to recovery. It is a simple habit that takes only a few minutes and can meaningfully reduce the risk of reinfection or introducing old bacteria back into a healing mouth.
Eisenberger and Meister Orthodontics Is Here to Help
Dr. Meister’s advanced training in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics at NYU College of Dentistry, where his research was recognized nationally and internationally, informs every recommendation the team makes. Whether your family has questions about care during illness or is ready to begin a new phase of orthodontic treatment in Passaic, the team at Eisenberger and Meister is here to guide you through it. Our practice is built on personalized, patient-centered care that accounts for the realities of everyday life, including cold and flu season.
If you have concerns about your child’s appliances or want to schedule a checkup after an illness, we welcome you to contact our office at Brook Haven Mall. Our team is happy to answer questions and make sure your child’s treatment stays on track all year long.