Getting sick while wearing braces?

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#1 Post by **purpleteeth** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 6:01 am

I have already had my fair share of colds and the flu, but have yet to experience a good case of food poisoning or a stomach bug. With fevers and sinus problems, my teeth just ache like crazy and my teeth tend to hurt a lot more with the fever... probably because my wires are heat activated.

What about say vomiting with braces on? This scares me a lot because I wear elastics and usually cannot open my mouth more than an inch or two. When I get nausated, I usually just take them off in case I get sick --- and right now, I am either fighting the stomach flu or it is my acid reflux acting up to the point where it is mimicing the stomach flu.

Any tips or suggestions on how to handle when the inevitable happens? I know not to brush for an hour afterwards, just rinse out the mouth. Any other suggestions??

#2 Post by **SuperDave** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 10:00 am

vomiting is something you dont want to do with braces. been there done that. got a nasty case of the flu in november. vomiting with braces was about the most disgusting experience i have ever had. it was really gross. i just wont go any further. just brush well afterwards. its just one of those things. the fleas come with the dog.

SuperDave

#3 Post by **Meloho** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 11:55 am

SuperDave wrote:vomiting is something you dont want to do with braces.

Of course just you saying that has made me queasy...

#4 Post by **lionfish** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 2:54 pm

Urgh....brings back memories of my single vomiting experience with braces, last year in a remote part of Indonesia while on a dive. I'd been feeling nauseous, but decided to make the dive anyway. Everything was OK until we started the ascent to the surface, and I could feel stuff welling up in me. The few minutes it took to get to the surface seemed an eternity (vomiting into my regulator was NOT an option!). When I got to the top I ripped my reg out of my mouth and let fly. I think I rinsed my mouth with sea water at the time, but don't recall any debris being stuck in the hardware.

#5 Post by **Nervous** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 9:07 pm

Vomiting while in brace was the worst experiences I have had thus far in braces. Not the adjustments, or the power chains, or elastics, or spacers, but throwing up. This was about 2 months ago with a month full of elastics. I had to do it and all at once SNAP they went; it really hurt my month and their was some.....left over residue stuck in my braces.

#6 Post by **Beckster** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 10:47 pm

Yes, I can remember such experiences from previous times in braces...THE WORST!

I am currently sick with a really bad cold with braces and must say that it completely sucks! I swear it makes the braces more noticable...am I totally crazy for thinking that?

#7 Post by **braced at 49** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 6:31 am

ok I never thought about this before,now I will be worried, I am a substitute teacher and around all kinds of germs. I do not have elastics yet and that scares me because once I get the bottom installed I am sure I will have them. So far I thought I was doing great but I am only four weeks in and never thought about illness. What happens if you need surgery and can't open your mouth for the breathing tube? I have to stop this I am getting out there to far. I am sure braces have never killed anyone.

#8 Post by **beth1966** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 6:43 am

Maybe it is just me - - - but personally, throwing up is something that I avoid at all costs.

That said I can't imagine how in the world it could be any worse with braces. Your braces should have nothing to do with the gross experience. LOL

And I certainly wouldn't worry about it - unless it happens. Just my own opinion, strikes me as sometimes reading things on this board can cause someone to worry
about something that may never happen, not to mention may not be your own individual experience.

It's like childbirth - everyone is different! lol

#9 Post by **Zombo** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 9:24 am

Not that puking is a pleasant experience, but I had 6 months of chemotherapy (22 years in remission

) and barfing was a part of my daily routine. I suppose that I'm used to it, so if it happens with braces, it will just provide a bit of acid cleaning for the metal

#10 Post by **loulou123** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 1:38 pm

Hey guys

I havent managed to be sick (yet) with braces on, but tho it obviously wouldnt be good, it wont do you any harm. When i had surgery i was tightly banded for 7 weeks (meaning couldnt open my mouth at all) and i was instructed if sick that it would still find its way out between the teeth

(gross i know, but true) so dont worry on that account, and for those of you in regular elastics, they would more than likely snap if you opened your mouth wide enough.

As far as the needing operation, the breathing tube would be placed up your nose, as it is for jaw surgery, so that wouldnt be an issue at all.

Hope that makes you all feel bit better.

#11 Post by **artroxu** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 3:49 pm

a little off topic but, my mom who used to be a regular on this board had jaw surgery during her treatment and had her jaw wired shut for several weeks. She was required to wear a necklace with a small pair of wire cutters at all times just in case she vomitted or had some sort of emergency.

So more back on topic, having not done it yet myself *knock on wood*, I'd say that vomitting with braces on, though I'm sure it adds to the already grossness of puking, is not dangerous.

Here's to healthy bellies! *cheers*

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Getting sick while wearing braces?

Getting sick while wearing braces?

one more thing to worry about