Will you be wearing Invisalign in Newton during the holidays this year? Since your aligners are removable and nearly invisible, they won’t keep you from enjoying all your favorite seasonal traditions or meals! However, if you’re not careful, all the festivities can distract you from your orthodontic treatment and end up delaying your timeline. Thankfully, with a few simple precautions, you can ensure that your smile continues to be straightened well into the new year. Here are four practical tips that will help keep your Invisalign treatment on track while you enjoy the holiday season!
1.) Always Make Time for Brushing and Flossing
Between finding the perfect gift, decorating, and sending Christmas cards, the holiday season is typically very busy. However, that doesn’t mean you can put your oral health on the backburner! Make sure you’re brushing your teeth for a full two minutes twice a day and flossing between all your teeth daily. While you may be tempted to put off this simple habit during the holiday rush, regular oral hygiene is essential for preventing cavities, gum disease, and aligner discoloration, especially with all the sugary holiday treats that are popular this time of year.
2.) Wear Your Aligners for 20-22 Hours Every Day
Remember, your aligners only work if you wear them. While you’ll probably be taking them out a little more often than usual for the holidays, you need to wear your aligners for at least 20-22 hours every day. The constant pressure from the aligners helps your teeth adapt to their new, straighter positions. If you don’t wear them often enough, your teeth may begin to drift back out of place again, which can increase the length and cost of your treatment.
3.) Don’t Snack or Drink with Your Aligners in
The fall and winter months are brimming with delicious fall-flavored beverages and tasty treats that many of us like to enjoy all throughout the day. However, any time you eat or drink anything that isn’t water, you need to take your aligners out. Even if its just the last bite of a cookie or last sip of your pumpkin spice latte, they can damage your aligners if they come in contact with them. The biocompatible plastic your aligners are crafted from could break, bend, or warp when exposed to foods or beverages, which could cause them to feel uncomfortable or shift your teeth into the wrong positions.
4.) Always Keep Your Storage Case with You
If you keep your aligner storage case with you during the holidays, you’ll be more likely to take them out instead of risking eating or drinking with them in. Additionally, it’s also by far the safest place to store your aligners when you’re not wearing them. If you wrap your aligners in a napkin or leave them out somewhere while you enjoy your meal, it’s all too easy to accidentally throw them out or lose them. They could even become a toy for a curious nearby pet or child! Always take the time to store your aligners safely in their case whenever you’re not wearing them.
Invisalign is an excellent way to straighten your smile conveniently and easily during the holidays. Keep these simple tips in mind to make sure your treatment stays on track throughout the season!
About the Author
Dr. Gretchen Anjomi of Newton Corner Dental Care has over two decades of experience caring for the smiles of Newton and the surrounding communities. As an active member of the American Dental Association and the Massachusetts Dental Association, she routinely completes continuing education in a variety of advanced topics. She is proud to be a certified Invisalign provider and is dedicated to helping her patients achieve the happy, healthy, and beautiful smiles they deserve. If you have more questions about wearing Invisalign during the holidays, don’t hesitate to contact her via her website or at (617) 332-6232.
