Invisalign During the Holiday Season

The most wonderful time of the year is finally here! Whether you are celebrating by stringing lights around your house, catching up with relatives, listening to festive music, or cooking up some delicious meals, everyone seems to have something to look forward to. However, with the schedule becoming busier, it can be easy to neglect important things, like your Invisalign in Sunnyvale. Continue reading for some tips to help you continue staying on track for your treatment throughout the holiday season.

Bring Your Aligner Case with You

When you don’t have your aligner case with you, you are more likely to end up setting it on the table or a napkin when you are eating. While this may not sound like a bit deal on its own, this is how many people end up accidently misplacing or throwing away their aligners by mistake. This can delay your treatment. To prevent this from occurring, you should bring your aligners wherever you go, even if you aren’t planning on removing them.

Wear Your Invisalign Throughout the Entire Day

In order for your treatment to go smoothly, you will need to wear your aligners for a majority of the day. The American Dental Association recommends that you wear your aligners for 20 to 22 hours each day. If you do not, you will interfere with the straightening process and could end up needing to wear them even longer to get the results you’re looking for.

Always Remove Your Aligners Before Eating

Before you eat or drink anything that is not water, you will need to take your aligners out. While it may not seem like an issue to have a sip of coffee with your trays in, this can actually cause damage to their structure and cause you to experience pain. If you drink something sugary, it can get stuck between your aligners and teeth, leaving them vulnerable to cavity-causing bacteria.

Keep Your Aligners Clean

Every time you eat, you should brush and floss in order to remove small food particles that will ultimately get stuck in your teeth. If you aren’t brushing away these food particles, you could end up with bad breath, bacterial growth, and tooth decay. If you are travelling for the holidays, don’t forget to bring your toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss with you. A travel sized mouthwash is also a good idea to ensure that your mouth is completely clean

Have fun this holiday season, but be smart when it comes to your Invisalign treatment. By staying on top of it, you can continue working towards a beautiful, aligned smile.

About the Author

Dr. George T. Philip is a dentist in Sunnyvale, TX who has been working in the field for well over a decade. He earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine from the Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Currently, he is a member of several professional organizations including the American Dental Association. For more information on Invisalign or to schedule an appointment, visit his website or call (972) 285-6144.