Tips for Staying on Track with Invisalign During the Holidays

The holidays can be a busy time and if things are going well that can mean a lot of fun to be had. At the same time, when you are busier than usual it can also be easier to forget to do something or get behind on what you had planned.

When your oral hygiene, or maybe your treatment with Invisalign in Grand Prairie, is involved, you can’t afford to be forgetful and fall asleep at the wheel. After all, if you can remember to leave cookies and milk out for Santa, you can remember to take care of your teeth. Check out these tips from your dentist on how you can stay diligent regarding your Invisalign treatment.

Don’t Eat or Drink with Your Aligners in Your Mouth

No worries if you are drinking water, but otherwise for drinking and eating you should take your aligners out. Obviously, you’ll also take them out for brushing, flossing, or cleaning the trays. At holiday gatherings, you might be bombarded with people offering you snack plates or seasonal beverages. Always remember to remove your aligners before you indulge in any of these foods or drinks. Otherwise, the trays could become discolored or damaged – making them noticeable in addition to compromising your treatment.

Brush and Floss After Every Meal or Snack

Before you put your aligners back in your mouth after eating – or drinking something other than water – be sure to brush and floss to remove tiny particles of food debris from your teeth and gums. If you put your trays back in without cleaning your teeth, these particles get trapped against your teeth to cause the proliferation of bacteria and the ensuing odor, staining, and tooth decay. You’re more likely to be on the go during the holidays, so keep a travel-sized toothbrush and toothpaste ready to roll along with a floss container.

Keep Your Aligner Storage Case Close By

Invisalign patients will sometimes remove their aligners before eating and set them down on a plate or napkin. Unfortunately, this could lead to your aligners accidentally getting thrown away. You might have to wait several days to receive replacement trays, which could lengthen your treatment time. To prevent your aligners from being misplaced, always carry their storage case with you. That way, you’ll know exactly where they are when you’re not wearing them.

Wear Your Aligners for 20-22 Hours Daily 

Enough discussion about taking your aligners out, be sure to keep them in for 20-22 hours daily so that they will be effective to get the results you seek. Not wearing them often enough can prevent your teeth from shifting as quickly as they should. It can even eventually lead to discomfort. Invisalign patients are more prone to forget to wear their trays in the rush of the holiday season. Set periodic reminders on your phone throughout the day to prevent treatment from slipping your mind.

Even though you are busy buying gifts, cooking food, visiting relatives, and offering Santa refreshments, you can still find the time to ensure your Invisalign treatment stays on track. After all, when you avoid setbacks the sooner you reach the smile you’ve been seeking!

About the Author

Dr. Heliben Desai strives to provide optimal dental care to her patients, and she believes in the value of educating them on the importance of oral health, as well as being transparent about potentially beneficial procedures so they can make an informed decision. She earned her dental doctorate from Rutgers University and is a member of the American Dental Association. A mother of two with a husband who is also a dentist, Dr. Desai’s sons are sure to have benefited from some of that wisdom regarding how important a good oral hygiene regimen is each day to stop trouble before it starts. If you are interested in Invisalign, she offers fully customized treatments for each patient, putty-free digital impressions are utilized, and your results are previewed using an iTero 3D Scanner. You can schedule a consultation on her website or by calling (469) 346-8828.