How To: Stay On-Track with Invisalign During the Holidays

The most wonderful time of the year is here! Whether you are planning on traveling out of town this holiday season or hosting at home, it’s important to prioritize your Invisalign treatment. After all, you don’t want to start 2023 by falling off-track! The good news is that, with the right best practices in place, you can enjoy all of the seasonal festivities and effectively straighten your teeth. To learn a few helpful tips on navigating Invisalign during the holidays, read on.

1. Keep an On-the-Go Dental Kit Close By

Brushing your teeth and cleaning your trays is easy when you’re at home, but what if you’re out shopping? Or going to a relative’s house for dinner? That’s where an on-the-go dental kit comes in. Filled with a travel-sized toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, and mouthwash, this will make completing your oral hygiene regimen significantly easier when you’re away from home. Remember: even a small cavity has the potential to derail your treatment, so don’t neglect to brush and floss!

2. Multitask

The 22-hour-a-day wear time is essential since your aligners only work while you’re wearing them. If you’re having trouble meeting this goal, try multitasking! Here are a few examples:

• Keep your aligners in while you cook (have someone else taste-test, if needed).
• Soak your trays in the cleaning crystals while you eat.
• Drink your coffee alongside your breakfast instead of separately.

3. Always Store Your Aligners Properly

Wrapping your aligners in a napkin or leaving them out on the table are not good ideas – these are two of the most common reasons they are misplaced! Instead, rinse off your trays and place them in their designated storage case when you aren’t wearing them.

4. Be Mindful of Your Sugar Intake

Between peppermint bark, caramel popcorn, and apple pie, the holiday season is basically sugar season. While it may be tempting to indulge in all of these festive staples, it’s important to be mindful of your sugar intake to help prevent cavities. This may seem like a huge undertaking at first, but even small changes like opting for water instead of soda can go a long way.

5. Don’t Forget About Your Check-in Visits

Each and every check-in visit with your dentist is important. During these appointments, they monitor the movement of your teeth, ensure they are tracking properly, and provide you with your next set of aligners. So, you can see how postponing them can quickly delay your progress. To prevent that from happening, prioritize these visits even amid the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.

About the Practice

Our team at Dolfield Dental is proud to be a top-rated dental office in Owings Mills with 800+ 5-star reviews. With each patient, we take a partnership approach, focus on high-quality dentistry, and provide comfortable experiences. Plus, we offer everything from essential preventive care to smile-enhancing treatments in-house, including Invisalign. If you want to learn more about how to stay on-track with Invisalign or you’d like to schedule an appointment, don’t hesitate to visit our website or call (410) 902-4110.