Whether you decide to stay home or travel during the holidays, it’s easy to get swept up into the busyness of the season and forget to do everything that your Invisalign treatment plan requires. Losing track of your Invisalign schedule can cause setbacks and put more distance between you and the straight, beautiful smile you desire. Read on to learn four tips that will help you avoid setbacks with your Invisalign in Dublin and enjoy the holidays to the fullest.
Tip #1: Don’t Forget to Wear Your Invisalign
The holidays can be a bit chaotic at times, which can make you forget to wear your clear aligners. It can be hard to remember to put your aligners back in after you eat, but the longer you wait, the more likely you are to encounter delays in treatment. You need to wear Invisalign for at least 20-22 hours each day for it to work effectively. So, forgetting to reinsert it after meals will result in the need for backtracking or treatment adjustments.
Tip #2: Remove Aligners When You Eat or Drink
Eating or drinking anything other than water while wearing your Invisalign can stain or damage your aligners. Wearing Invisalign while consuming hot foods or drinks can also warp the aligners, which will keep them from fitting properly. To avoid this, make sure to remove your Invisalign before meals to keep them in good condition and avoid prolonging your treatment.
Tip #3: Keep Your Aligner Case Nearby
If you put your aligner on a napkin when removing it to eat or drink, this may result in you accidentally throwing it into the trash. While you wait for new aligners to be made, your teeth may begin to move back to their former positions, which can cause treatment delays. Make sure to keep an aligner case nearby to avoid this and ensure that you always have a clean, safe place to store your Invisalign.
Tip #4: Remember to Brush and Floss
During the holidays, you may spend more time than usual eating and drinking sweet and starchy foods. This gives harmful oral bacteria multiple opportunities to feed on the food particles stuck between your teeth and damage your oral health. Brush and floss between meals to prevent these things from sticking to your aligners and damaging them or your teeth. If you’re traveling by plane, keep a dental kit nearby so you can always clean your Invisalign after meals.
The holidays are fun, but that doesn’t mean that you become lax with your oral health. It’s vital to keep up with your Invisalign so you can be on your way to a straighter, healthier smile!
About the Author
Distinctive Smiles of Dublin is here to help patients maintain excellent oral health and bright, straight teeth. They offer quality Invisalign treatment to help you straighten your teeth and finally gain the smile you’ve always hoped for. If you’re worried about keeping up with your Invisalign treatment plan during the holidays, they can provide tips and tricks to allow you to enjoy the season without jeopardizing your smile in the process. Call Distinctive Smiles of Dublin’s office at (614) 792-1800 or visit their website to learn more about Invisalign or to schedule an appointment.