The holiday season has officially arrived! Whether you are heading out of town or choosing to stay home this year, the extra time off can make it easy to forget about the little things, like keeping up with your Invisalign treatment plan. To prevent that from happening, keep the below best practices from a cosmetic dentist in OKC in mind when celebrating with loved ones.
#1. Wear Your Aligners 20 to 22 Hours a Day
One of the quickest ways to derail your treatment is by neglecting to wear your aligners. In order for them to gently (and effectively!) guide your teeth into the desired position, you must wear them for at least 20 hours a day. Therefore, make sure to only remove them while you are eating, and put them right back in as soon as you’ve completed your oral hygiene routine.
#2. Carry the Aligners’ Storage Case With You
The last thing you want is for your aligners to head into the garbage with discarded ham, unused sides, and all the other leftovers. Not only can it make finding them a headache, but it can also cause their shape to warp or break altogether, requiring a replacement. To prevent that from happening, use a designated case for your aligners that doesn’t blend in with everything else on the table.
#3. Brush and Floss After Every Meal and Snack
Although the holidays look a bit different this year, the copious amounts of food certainly haven’t changed. To keep your mouth and your aligners spotless, always complete your oral hygiene routine after each meal and snack. If you are at someone else’s house, packing a dental care to-go kit with travel-sized toothpaste, a collapsible toothbrush, and floss should do the trick!
#4. Always Remove Your Aligners When Eating or Drinking
Out of sheer convenience, you may be tempted to indulge in a few sips of your favorite hot beverage or a bite of your aunt’s world-famous pecan pie with your aligners in. However, doing so can cause them to stain, crack, or warp, delaying your treatment. Therefore, with the exception of water, always pop out your aligners before you eat or drink.
Since Invisalign can typically deliver jaw-dropping results in a fraction of the time of traditional braces, the last thing you want to do is extend your treatment due to your holiday festivities. Instead, stay on track with your plan with the above tips from a dentist in OKC!
About the Author
Since earning his dental degree from the University of Oklahoma, Dr. Bradley Mitchell has helped countless patients with crooked, gapped, and crowded teeth achieve their dream smile. He firmly believes that being a dentist is the best job in the world, and his passion for his craft shines through at every appointment. If you are looking for a “dentist near me” and considering Invisalign in OKC, visit his website or give him a call at 405-755-2670.
