How Can I Celebrate the Holidays While Keeping on Track with Invisalign

Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign can realign your teeth while remaining virtually invisible and requiring no dietary restrictions. It uses a sequence of removable clear aligners to slowly move your teeth into better positions, with each set bringing your smile into an ever more ideal state. While being able to remove your aligners to eat whatever you want is a big plus, Invisalign also requires discipline on the part of the patient to achieve the desired results. Here’s a brief guide to keeping on top of your Invisalign treatment during the holidays.

Your Aligners Must Be Worn for at Least Twenty Hours a Day, Even on Holidays

Invisalign clear aligners need to be worn for twenty to twenty-two hours every day in order to keep your teeth moving at the appropriate pace, and they should only be removed for eating, performing oral hygiene, and drinking anything but water. Neglecting to do so can cause delays in your treatment or even allow your teeth to shift out of alignment again, undoing much of your hard-earned progress. While it might be tempting to take your aligners out for the whole of a three-hour holiday party so you can snack and sip continuously, this can severely limit your time for meals and regular oral hygiene.

Always Brush and Floss After Eating

While your clear aligners might seem like protective shields for your teeth, they can also protect plaque, food debris, and bacteria from your mouth’s natural cleaning process. If these are allowed to stay in place, they can cause tooth decay, discoloration, and even bad breath. That’s why it’s so important to brush and floss after every meal and snack while wearing Invisalign. Carry a hygiene kit with you, and make sure to wait for thirty minutes after eating before brushing.

Carry a Storage Case for Your Aligners for Safekeeping

While it might seem logical to just place your aligners on a napkin next to your eating space when you take them out for lunch, this can make it much too easy for them to be swept up and thrown out when the table is being cleaned. Instead, carry a storage case for your aligners in your pocket. This way, you’ll have a safe place to keep your aligners when you remove them to enjoy a holiday treat.

Invisalign might seem like a hassle during the holidays, but the rewards will be well worth it. With proper care, it’s likely that your teeth will be straight and beautiful for the holidays next year.

About the Author

Dr. Jonathan Aguilar earned his dental degree from Texas A&M College of Dentistry and has worked in the corporate sphere, a non-profit public health clinic, and private dental practices. His dental philosophy is based on serving others and the community at large. His office in Denton, TX offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as Invisalign. For more information on celebrating with Invisalign, contact the office online or dial (940) 566-5332.