Invisalign is an investment in a healthy, beautiful smile. If you chose clear aligners to fix your bite and alignment, don’t let the holidays add delays to your journey to a straight smile. You can still enjoy the season while keeping your treatment on track. Here’s your go-to guide for navigating the holidays with Invisalign.
Commit to Your Treatment Plan
Unlike metal braces, Invisalign is removable. Although you can take your aligners out whenever you want, they should only be removed when eating and drinking or brushing and flossing. You must wear your aligners for at least 22 hours per day or your teeth may not move as predicted.
Besides wearing your aligners long enough, you must switch to the next set in your series every 1-2 weeks as instructed by your orthodontist. If you’ll be traveling for the holidays, don’t forget to pack extra aligners.
Create a Dental Hygiene Kit
The holidays can be a bad time for your dental health. Snacking more often and many of your favorite seasonal foods can increase your risk of tooth day. Good oral hygiene is more important than ever to ensure food residue doesn’t get trapped between your aligners and enamel.
You must brush and floss your teeth after every meal, even if you’re not at home. Create an oral hygiene kit to carry with you. This will make it easy to keep your mouth clean while you’re on the go.
Carry Your Storage Case
You need a safe spot for your aligners when they aren’t in your mouth. Carry your storage case with you to protect your aligners from germy surfaces. This will also lessen the risk of misplacing them.
Remove Your Aligners When Eating
Clear aligners are durable, but they can break and discolor if you wear them while eating. Always take your aligners out when having anything except water. Rinse them and brush your teeth before putting them back in your mouth.
Keep Your Aligners Clean
Besides brushing and flossing, you must clean your aligners at least twice daily. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a clear hand soap or dishwashing liquid to clean them. Never use toothpaste or abrasive dental products because they can scratch your aligners.
Maintain Check-In Visits
Although you don’t need appointments for adjustments, you must still see your orthodontist every few weeks. They’ll monitor your treatment to ensure it is progressing as intended.
By this time next year, you could be finished with your clear aligners. Giving your mouth a little extra attention during the holidays will keep your treatment on the right track to achieve a straight smile sooner.
About Dr. Sean Willcutts
Dr. Willcutts is a board-certified orthodontist. He achieved his dental degree from the Boston University Goldman School of Dentistry and has completed a three-year residency for orthodontics at the Albert Einstein Medical Center. Request an appointment through his website or contact Treehouse Orthodontics to speak with a member of his dental team.