If one of the items on your Christmas list this year is a straighter smile, then you’ll want to make sure that you’re doing everything possible to stay on track with Invisalign. While wearing clear aligners is convenient, you may be worried that the holidays will threaten the success of treatment, especially when it comes to your timeline. To avoid a delay, here are a few tips to keep in mind whether you’re traveling or hosting holiday festivities this year.
Keep Snacking to a Minimum
It may be difficult trying to avoid snacking on and off throughout the day, especially when you’re enticed by your mother’s delicious homemade candies. However, neglecting to wear your trays 20-22 hours each day can put your timeline at risk.
These aligners are made to continuously shift teeth in the right direction. If they’re not worn for the designated amount of time, it will slow the process and lead to prolonged treatment.
Limit how often you snack so that you can make sure you avoid any potential problems with your Invisalign.
Remove Your Aligners When Eating (or Drinking)
Whether it is enjoying a big meal with family or sipping hot cocoa around the fire, you’ll want to make sure that you take your aligners out.
The clear plastic material is not designed to withstand the pressure of biting and chewing, and it can become warped if exposed to hot temperatures. Refusing to remove your trays while eating or drinking can cause them to become damaged, resulting in delayed treatment.
You’ll be required to revert to your previous set of aligners and wait for your new ones to be created. Instead, remember to place your trays in the protective case before biting down or enjoying that warm glass of cider.
Maintain Optimal Oral Hygiene
Brushing and flossing after every meal might seem tedious, but Invisalign requires that you stay on top of your oral hygiene routine.
Bad bacteria and food particles that remain on the teeth can easily transfer onto aligners, resulting in a foul odor and harmful decay. The best thing to do is make sure that your teeth and gums are free of plaque, dried saliva, and other bacteria by brushing and flossing after you’re finished eating.
No matter if it is a meal or snack, your teeth and gums need to be thoroughly cleaned before reinserting your trays.
These may only be three tips for navigating the holidays this season, but you can rest assured that keeping these at the forefront of your mind will ensure that you walk into the new year with plans for a straighter, healthier smile.
About Grand Dental – Channahon
Grand Dental – Channahon cares about the future of patients’ smiles. When it comes to straighter teeth, we offer Invisalign as an alternative solution to traditional braces. As the holidays approach, many patients may wonder how to navigate this time of year, especially with so much good food around. We encourage everyone to visit our website or call (815) 240-9009 to receive helpful tips that will keep teeth on the right path and avoid prolonged treatment.