Whether you’re heading out of town for the holidays, hosting loved ones at your home, or celebrating with just a few close friends, the last few weeks of 2023 may be packed with to-dos. Since following your Invisalign treatment plan can take a backseat amid the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it’s important to be proactive. With this in mind, here’s some helpful information on how to navigate the holidays with Invisalign!
1. Don’t Drink Hot Chocolate with Your Aligners In
If you’re out shopping for loved ones or looking at holiday lights, it can be tempting to keep your aligners in while you sip on hot chocolate (or whatever your festive beverage of choice is). Don’t! Not only will dark-colored beverages stain your aligners, but the hot temperature can cause them to warp as well. If that happens, your trays won’t be able to effectively move your teeth, rendering them virtually useless.
2. Wear Your Aligners for 20+ Hours a Day
During the holiday season, it’s easy to fall out of your usual routine. While you can leave some things for the new year, like an early wake-up time, you need to continue to wear your aligners for 20-22 hours a day. If you don’t, then your teeth won’t track properly, which can add weeks or months onto the backend of your treatment.
3. Never Wrap Your Aligners in a Napkin
Whether you’re at a restaurant or a loved one’s house, you shouldn’t put your aligners in a napkin while you eat. That’s one of the easiest ways to lose them! Instead, rinse them off with some clean, lukewarm water before placing them in their case. It’s also a good idea to put the case in your purse or pocket – basically somewhere other than the table.
4. Keep a Dental Hygiene Kit With You
Brushing your teeth and cleaning your aligners after each meal is a must, even if you’re at the airport or at a gas station on the side of the road. To make this task a bit more convenient, keep a dental hygiene kit with you that’s filled with all your travel-sized essentials, including a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste.
5. Be Mindful of Added Sugar
Don’t worry – you don’t have to completely avoid pecan pie, apple tarts, caramel popcorn, and other seasonal treats. You should, however, be mindful of your sugar consumption. Remember, oral health issues can bring your orthodontic treatment to an immediate stop until you get the restorative care you need, which you want to avoid in order to stay on-track with your timeline.
About the Doctor
Dr. Isaak Yelizar’s experience with braces as a teen completely transformed his confidence, which is one of the many reasons he loves being an orthodontist! When it came time for his studies, he attended the New York University College of Dentistry. After graduating with honors, he completed a general practice residency at New York Methodist Hospital as well as an orthodontic residency program at St. Barnabas Hospital. If you have a question for him about Invisalign, you can schedule an appointment via his website or call!