Brushing Your Teeth at Work

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Hi everyone, I have an oddly specific situation. I have Invisalign and it hasn’t been too much of an issue so far because I’m at home mostly these days for nursing school (I started Invisalign this past Summer, after the pandemic started). The thing about Invisalign is that you absolutely must brush and floss your teeth before putting them back in after eating. Because you’re basically wearing a lid on your teeth, any food particles will just fester and it’s a recipe for tooth decay. But again, it hasn’t been too much of an issue because I’m home and so I just brush my teeth and floss a lot. 
I’m starting a new job as a PCT this week and with the 12 hour shifts, I’m going to need to eat more than just once for lunch. I get low blood sugar and get dizzy/lightheaded if I don’t eat at least something every few hours. The last time I tried to power through the light headed-ness, I suddenly became really shaky and sweaty and I fainted at a Target. It was embarrassing and kind of scary and I learned my lesson to not ignore my body when it’s telling me to eat. 
I wonder if anyone else on here has Invisalign and how they deal with taking out the trays and brushing/flossing at work? I can’t just take them out and not put them back in for the rest of the day because it can really mess with your teeth to do that (they start shifting back). I brushed my teeth in the employee bathroom once during clinicals last year and the next morning I had incredible diarrhea. Perhaps it was a coincidence, but I never brushed my teeth in a hospital sink after that! 
I’m wondering if anyone has any tips or tricks for safely and quickly cleaning my teeth so I can squeeze in some food on a ten minute break and also after lunch ?

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Pediatric Float, PICU, NICU.

I'm going to go on a limb and say that your one experience in an employee bathroom is likely just a coincidence. I've never had issues in regards to the actual safety of water at any facility I've been in. The issue you are going to encounter more than likely is having the time to eat as often as you may need to, as well as then having the time to brush your teeth.

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Specializes in ER, Pre-Op, PACU.
1 hour ago, JadedCPN said:

I'm going to go on a limb and say that your one experience in an employee bathroom is likely just a coincidence. I've never had issues in regards to the actual safety of water at any facility I've been in. The issue you are going to encounter more than likely is having the time to eat as often as you may need to, as well as then having the time to brush your teeth.

This is along the lines of what I was thinking. Most areas of nursing, whether as a PCT or RN are lucky to get a lunch break or bathroom break much less several snacks throughout the day or the time to brush teeth. Just an honest opinion....

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Specializes in New Critical care NP, Critical care, Med-surg, LTC.

I brush my teeth before my 11p-7a shift pretty often, and then sometimes again around 4am when my teeth get that fuzzy feeling. I fast overnight so I'm not fitting in any eating, but I've never gotten sick from the bathroom sink. 

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Specializes in retired LTC.

Am sooooo glad this post resurfaced. It made me do some research.

OP - they sell pre-pasted, disposable toothbrushes on Amazon. And if you carry your own small prefilled water bottle ......  When you can squeeze in the time to eat, then just run to the nearest BR with your orificenal and cleanse away to your teeth's delight!

I was honestly interested in helping you. :)

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On 12/28/2020 at 4:08 AM, nickymack said:

Hi everyone, I have an oddly specific situation. I have Invisalign and it hasn’t been too much of an issue so far because I’m at home mostly these days for nursing school (I started Invisalign this past Summer, after the pandemic started). The thing about Invisalign is that you absolutely must brush and floss your teeth before putting them back in after eating. Because you’re basically wearing a lid on your teeth, any food particles will just fester and it’s a recipe for tooth decay. But again, it hasn’t been too much of an issue because I’m home and so I just brush my teeth and floss a lot. 
I’m starting a new job as a PCT this week and with the 12 hour shifts, I’m going to need to eat more than just once for lunch. I get low blood sugar and get dizzy/lightheaded if I don’t eat at least something every few hours. The last time I tried to power through the light headed-ness, I suddenly became really shaky and sweaty and I fainted at a Target. It was embarrassing and kind of scary and I learned my lesson to not ignore my body when it’s telling me to eat. 
I wonder if anyone else on here has Invisalign and how they deal with taking out the trays and brushing/flossing at work? I can’t just take them out and not put them back in for the rest of the day because it can really mess with your teeth to do that (they start shifting back). I brushed my teeth in the employee bathroom once during clinicals last year and the next morning I had incredible diarrhea. Perhaps it was a coincidence, but I never brushed my teeth in a hospital sink after that! 
I’m wondering if anyone has any tips or tricks for safely and quickly cleaning my teeth so I can squeeze in some food on a ten minute break and also after lunch ?

Maybe you can use a disposable cup with a water bottle?

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Specializes in nutrition.

Brushing the teeth after a meal is indeed a good habit, especially when you have Invisalign. Why don't you try some sugar-free chewing gums? They are good for cleaning your teeth if you have a light meal. Proper brushing is necessary but you can try the chewing gum after the first meal. After the second meal, you can brush your teeth properly. My dentist told me that it is not bad to use chewing gums to clean my teeth after the first meal, but I have to clean my teeth and Invisalign after the second meal and before going to bed.
Ask your dentist about this and you can practice it after their opinion.

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Specializes in retired LTC.

Hmmmm ... The things one learns here.

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Anyone with this concern should make sure to carry a supply of those glucose tabs for emergency use.  Diabetics should do that anyway. Just be careful not to get into a habit of eating them as if they were candy. They are very tasty to those who love their sugar!

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