Throughout the holidays, you may begin to wonder how it will be possible to keep up with your Invisalign treatment. You want to keep your teeth moving in the right direction, but you’re unsure if the temptations around you to snack and forgo your oral hygiene routine might cause problems. To prevent this from happening, a local dentist is here to share four simple tips to make wearing Invisalign during the holidays easier than ever.
Clean Your Teeth After Every Meal
After eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner, you’ll want to make sure that you’re properly cleaning your teeth. This will minimize the potential for food particles to get stuck between teeth and cause cavities or tooth decay. Brushing for two minutes and flossing will take a little of your time, so don’t forgo it just so that you can stake your claim on the couch for your family’s favorite holiday movie. Take care of your smile this holiday season.
Remove Your Aligners Before Eating or Drinking
Before you eat or drink anything (apart from water), make sure to remove your aligners. They are durable but not enough to withstand the chewing power of your teeth. Also, hot liquids can warp the trays, resulting in a significant delay in treatment if you’re not careful. Always remove them so that you can enjoy your meal more thoroughly while better protecting your aligners.
Wear Them to Prevent Snacking
It’s tempting to snack more than usual during the holidays. With so many delectable treats around the house, it’s easy to just grab a handful of nuts or mini chocolates and enjoy. However, this will require you to remove your aligners. If you’re not wearing them 20-22 hours each day, you put yourself and your smile at risk of a delay in treatment. Your teeth need the gentle pressure of the trays to keep them moving in the right direction, so if you’re spending all your time snacking, you’re not working toward a straighter smile.
Make Sure You Have a Protective Case
When eating or drinking, make sure you have your protective case nearby. This will ensure that your clear aligners remain safe from any possible damage and avoid harmful bacteria that might be floating in the air. Whatever you do, don’t fold them up in a napkin, as they can be easily thrown away by accident. Also, don’t just lay them on a table or countertop, as they can become damaged easily.
Don’t let the holidays throw your treatment off track. Stick to these helpful tips and prepare to keep moving toward your ultimate goal of achieving a straighter smile.
About the Practice
Huckabee Dental is located in Southlake and is one of the first practices in the area. Seeing families of all ages over the years, we believe in offering exceptional, comprehensive dentistry that is designed to improve smiles year after year. When patients need help straightening their teeth, we can recommend Invisalign as a way to realign teeth without compromising daily appearances. If you are preparing for the holidays and want to avoid a delay in your orthodontic treatment, contact us via our website or by calling (817) 329-4746.