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

From purchasing gifts and preparing food to hosting friends and family, there’s always a lot going on during the holidays. Naturally, the little things might start to slip through the cracks, but it’s important that you don’t let your clear aligner treatment take a back seat. If you’re not sure how to manage the hustle and bustle that comes with the holidays and stay on track with Invisalign, then read on for five helpful tips!

1. Enjoy Festive Drinks with Your Meals

Do you enjoy starting your morning with a peppermint mocha during the holidays? Maybe you like winding down at the end of a long day with a cup of hot chocolate. Good news: you don’t have to give up festive beverages like these during your teeth-straightening journey. You should, however, drink them with your breakfast or dinner instead of separately. That way, it’s easier to wear your aligners for 20+ hours a day.

2. Don’t Wrap Your Aligners in a Napkin

Whether you’re meeting up with a friend for breakfast, you’re grabbing lunch at the mall, or you’re going to a loved one’s house for dinner, do NOT put your aligners in a napkin. This might seem like a good option in the moment, but it’s actually one of the most common reasons they get misplaced. For the same reason, we don’t recommend putting them on your plate or leaving them on the counter.

3. Be Mindful of Added Sugar

Remember, sugar is one of the leading causes of cavities, and cavities can bring your teeth-straightening journey to a temporary stop. So, do your best not to go overboard on candy canes, peanut brittle, white chocolate bark, and other sweet treats. When you do choose to indulge, make sure to brush your teeth shortly after so the sugar doesn’t linger on your teeth for long.

4. Keep Travel-Sized Oral Hygiene Essentials with You

Brushing and flossing your teeth is easy when you’re home, but what if you are going out of town for the holidays? In that case, we recommend keeping a travel-sized toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, and mouthwash in your purse or carry-on. This will make completing your oral hygiene regimen after each meal and snack basically excuse-proof.

5. Prioritize Your Progress Visits

In order to stay on-track with your Invisalign treatment, you need to prioritize your progress visits. Not only will your dentist ensure that your teeth are moving as anticipated, but they will also provide you with your next batch of aligners so you can continue to move through the process at home. So, make sure to keep these appointments in mind when making your holiday plans!

About the Practice

All Smiles Leesburg is a top-rated dental office that offers several smile-enhancing services, including Invisalign. Our team takes pride in offering custom treatment plans as well as being an ongoing resource for our patients so their experience is positive, stress-free, and convenient. If you are interested in learning more about clear aligner treatment, then schedule a consultation with us via our website or by phone at (703) 777-4443.