While Invisalign is often easy to maintain, the winter holidays can make this treatment tricky. Some patients struggle to keep up with it amidst festive parties, family reunions, and cross-state (or cross-country) travels. With all that said, many ask a key question: How should you spend the holiday season with Invisalign? Your New York dentist knows the answer, and he’ll gladly share it with you now. Just keep reading how to maintain Invisalign during the holidays.
Keep an Aligner Carrying Case
For starters, try to keep an aligner carrying case with you. This treatment-related device will save you a lot of trouble.
People can lose their trays at any time, but the risk is greater in the holiday season. One might misplace aligners when distracted by a winter party, set them on a restaurant napkin that’s mistakenly thrown out, etc. You can prevent such outcomes by carrying your trays in a special aligner storage case. If you keep this container with you, you’ll always know where your trays are.
Remember the “20-22 Hours” Rule
You’ll also want to remember Invisalign’s “20-22 hours” rule amid the holidays. Otherwise, you’ll end up facing some treatment delays.
The rule above requires that you wear your trays 20-22 hours a day. If you don’t abide by it, your teeth will have a chance to revert to their earlier, more crooked state. That the holiday rush made you forget the rule won’t matter, either; you’ll still face a disruption to your treatment timeline. Given these facts, make sure to set reminders for yourself to wear your aligners.
Brush & Floss After Every Meal
Even if your holiday schedule is busy, make time to brush and floss after each meal. Doing so helps your Invisalign treatment go smoothly and easily.
You see, Invisalign trays can potentially “trap” debris on your smile. The way they encase your teeth ensures that any plaque on your enamel stays there for a long time. If you don’t want this debris sticking around, you’ll need to brush and floss after eating festive foods. These habits will remove the “leftovers” from your mouth, thus reducing your risk of treatment-disrupting cavities, gum disease, etc.
Remove Your Trays for Drinks
However eager you are for cocoa, remove your trays before you have any drinks over the holidays. Keeping them in is a big mistake for your smile.
Any beverage besides room-temperature water is bad for Invisalign. Their pigments naturally stain clear plastic, and the patient’s aligners easily trap them. (The latter effect can then put harmful bacteria on your smile’s surface, resulting in cavities.) Even worse, the high temperature from a drink like cocoa can distort a tray’s structure and make it ineffective.
Spending the holiday season with Invisalign is a challenge, but it’s not impossible. Just remember to use the tips above as you celebrate!
About the Practice
Gramercy Dental Studio is based in New York, NY. Led by Dr. Ira Newman, our practice holds a strong commitment to warm, personalized, and guilt-free dentistry. We always consider your smile’s unique needs as we plan and perform our custom treatments. That way, you’ll get the best results possible every time you come and see us! For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (212)-924-6890.
