sick more often with braces?

[lochnessimposter]

sort of an odd question, but had anyone noticed that they got sick more often after getting braces? having my hands inside my mouth to put wax on them several times a day has made me worried about this. obviously i wash my hands before doing so, but i was just rushing & totally forgot to wash them before i put new wax in, ugh.

i'm guessing once you get used to the braces (mine were put on 2 days ago) the wax isn't needed as much & you aren't fussing with your hands as much though?

[nessness]

I personally haven't been more sick in braces than without, but there was a post on here recently about someone being sick more often because of braces so I guess it varies.
As for wax I haven't used mine consistently for 18 months but if the wires in the back begin to poke I might grab a bit here and there, but haven't touched any for a year or so now so again depends on how fast you adjust to them.
But I'm sure you will adjust to them quickly, and even forget theyre on

Welcome to being braced btw, the time will fly and you'll be out of them quick sharpish

[TheChico]

I mean, ortho treatment does provide a better situation for bacteria to grow so maybe it could affect one's health? Not suggesting you're not keeping it clean. Just thinking :)

[sirwired]

Dental health CAN effect overall health, but I think that only happens if you let your teeth and gums degenerate into gum disease, abscesses, etc.

Braces DO present more of an opportunity for oral problems to occur, which is why all that brushing and flossing is so important. But if you keep up a proper oral care regimen, I don't see the bacteria braces attract keeping you sick.

[dojo]

As long as you're careful with your hands hygiene, you're safe. Of course, we might sometimes forget about this, but, once you're getting used to it, it's OK. Having braces FORCES you to be more careful with your teeth, so overall you should be better, since gum diseases and cavities affect our entire health.

[lochnessimposter]

yeah, i tend to have a crappy immune system, and i just though to myself, ugh... now i'm going to have my hands in my mouth all the time now putting in wax, etc. of course i wash them thoroughly, there was the one time i forgot though. and hopefully, i won't be constantly using wax for 2+ year!

just was wondering if anyone has ever noticed an increase in illness due to their hands being near/in their mouth more.

[AndreeaS]

Ye, I did, not sure though if it's because of braces...for the first time in my life I had problems with tonsils, first was 2 weeks before getting braced, but then second episode next day after braces and third one within 2 more weeks. I'm ok now after antibiotics, but still feel discomfort when yawning for example, which might be as a result of some "muscle spasm"

[belistic10]

nope absolutely no difference here!