Staying On-track with Invisalign Over the Holidays

Invisalign has become an incredibly popular way to get a straighter smile, due in large part to its convenience. However, as easy as they are to deal with, dental hygiene can definitely fall by the wayside when things get stressful. The holiday season is one time of year when that’s likely to happen. In all the commotion, it’s important to hold in mind a few key principles that can keep you on the right track. Here are a few things to remember about Invisalign this holiday season.

Wear Aligner for 20-22 hours

The most important thing when it comes to Invisalign is wearing your aligners for the recommended amount of time, 20-22 hours a day. Essentially, whenever you aren’t eating or cleaning them, you should have your aligners in.

During the holidays, it can be tempting to snack on leftovers throughout the day, and to keep your aligners out while you do so. Instead, you should just have large meals filling enough that you won’t be tempted to graze.

Clean After Eating

The other difficulty when it comes to eating with Invisalign is taking the time to clean your aligner once you’ve finished. When things are busy during the holidays, or if you’re going out to eat with family, it might be challenging to find the time to brush and floss after meals. However, if you replace your aligner without cleaning your teeth first, you trap in all the food. This gives them plenty of time to feed the bacteria in your mouth.

If you struggle with cleaning your aligner after meals, getting a travel dental kit might help. These contain portable versions of toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, mouthwash, and dental wax. Travel dental kits can fit easily in a purse, and some are even small enough to fit in a pocket.

Hold On to your Aligner

When you’re traveling, you need to be careful not to lose your aligner. If you don’t have one already, get a personalized carrying case for your aligner when you take it out. You should also avoid leaving your aligner on a tray or in a napkin, both of which make it easier to accidentally throw it away.

Ultimately, the most important thing is to keep doing the things you’re already doing to take care of your aligners. The more consistent you are with your Invisalign treatment, the sooner you’ll be able to see results.

About Our Practice

At Sherbrooke Family Dental, we are dedicated to providing our patients with high-quality dental care in a comfortable environment. We want to make taking care of your teeth as easy as possible, so we offer early and weekend hours that will fit your schedule. We also follow the Alberta fee guide from the Alberta Dental Association & College, so you can rest assured that there won’t be any surprises on your bill. If you have any questions about taking care of your Invisalign aligners through the holiday season, we can be reached at our website or by phone at 780-455-8124.