There’s a lot going on during the holiday season, and hopefully, that means a lot of fun for you. In all of the hustle and bustle, the chances increase that you could slack off in your oral hygiene and Invisalign treatment. But 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 in Dyer on how you can stay diligent regarding your Invisalign treatment.
Wear Your Aligners for 20-22 Hours Daily
Keep your aligners 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.
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.
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.
Don’t Eat or Drink with Your Aligners in
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.
Like walking and chewing gum at the same time, you can enjoy the holidays while staying on top of your Invisalign treatment. Follow these tips and your teeth could very well be straight enough to make Santa proud by this time next year!
About the Practice
At Advanced Dental Concepts, you can step into our front door expecting excellence. From providing comprehensive services for your family to making the scheduling and payment process easy, we give Dyer families everything they need to enjoy healthy smiles for life. Our compassionate team has decades of experience serving patients of all ages. We welcome dental insurance, but if you don’t have any, we offer our Wellness Plan to easily cover your basic dental care for an entire year. We understand the potential distractions during the holidays but remember that staying diligent about your Invisalign treatment will yield the best results and do so in the shortest possible time. If you are interested in starting Invisalign treatment, consider that it’s a discreet alternative to traditional braces, you won’t have to change your diet, and people generally see improvement in 8-18 months. To schedule a consultation, visit our website or call (219) 322-3418.