After a year that seemed to last a decade, the holidays are finally here! Even if you’re not traveling or meeting family members in person this year, the festive season is the busiest for many people. It can be all too easy to let your dental health fall by the wayside, especially if you wear Invisalign in Orlando. If you’re not careful, you could end up accidentally delaying your treatment. To help you achieve a straight smile as quickly as possible, here are four easy tips for staying on track with your Invisalign treatment during the holiday season.
WEAR YOUR ALIGNERS FOR 20 TO 22 HOURS A DAY
The aligners are most effective when they are worn for at least 20 hours each day. Neglecting to wear them as often can result in your treatment taking longer than originally planned. In the holiday rush, you may forget to put them in. Set a regular reminder on your phone to help you remember to wear them.
CARRY THE ALIGNERS’ STORAGE CASE WITH YOU
Another mistake that Invisalign patients frequently make is setting their aligners down on a napkin before eating. This makes it much more likely that the napkin, along with your trays, will be thrown away. You’d then have to wait at least a week or two to receive replacement aligners. Prevent this by always keeping the aligners in their protective storage case when you’re not wearing them.
BRUSH AND FLOSS AFTER EATING
If you don’t clean your teeth after a meal or snack, leftover food particles get trapped between your aligners and your teeth, attracting cavity-causing bacteria. It can also stain your aligners and result in serious bad breath. Even if you’re attending a holiday party, try to brush and floss after you eat. If that’s not possible, then at least rinse your mouth with water or travel-size mouthwash before placing your aligners back in.
REMOVE YOUR ALIGNERS BEFORE DRINKING HOT BEVERAGES
Nothing beats a delicious cup of hot chocolate on a cold winter day. However, remember to take out your trays beforehand. The warmth of the beverage could warp the shape of the aligners, jeopardizing your treatment and causing discomfort.
As important as holiday traditions are, don’t let them get in the way of your Invisalign treatment. For more Invisalign tips, don’t be afraid to reach out to your dentist in Orlando.
ABOUT THE PRACTICE
At Sand Lake Dental, we are proud to offer Invisalign to help our patients achieve straighter, healthier smiles. Our dentist, Dr. Ziyad Maali, keeps up to date with the latest advancements in the dental field. He has even been recognized as a top Orlando dentist by Orlando Magazine! To learn more about Invisalign in Orlando, we can be reached via our Website or by calling (407) 255-2391.
