Invisalign can be a fantastic way to straighten out your smile without having to deal with the conspicuous metal parts and dietary restrictions that come with traditional braces. However, the treatment requires some effort and daily ritual on the part of the patient, and it can be hard to stay on top of these practices if you’re on the road. Here are a few tips to help you keep your Invisalign treatment on track while traveling for business or pleasure.
Put a Hygiene Kit Together
People often put together a kit of dental care essentials to take with them while traveling, so it shouldn’t be too hard to make sure yours has everything you need for your Invisalign treatment. A few items to include are:
Toothbrushes: Your toothbrush is a necessary tool for dental care. You should consider taking several and packing them in various places such as your bag, your purse, and your glove compartment so you never have to worry about being without one.
Dental floss: Flossing is every bit as essential for oral hygiene as brushing. Taking a few packs of floss will allow you to clean in the hard-to-reach areas in your smile where a toothbrush cannot.
Antibacterial mouthwash: This stuff can kill more than 99% of the harmful bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease.
Aligner case: Having a case in which to store your aligners while eating or practicing hygiene will keep them safe from being damaged or thrown away.
Extra aligners: If you’re going to be on the road for a few weeks, be sure to bring any new aligners you will need to wear over the course of your treatment.
Maintain Your Invisalign Routine
While it’s important to take a few days or weeks to relax on occasion, you should always remember that tooth decay and gum disease do not go on vacation. When you’re on the road, be sure to care for your teeth by brushing at least twice a day, flossing at least before bed, and rinsing with antibacterial mouthwash.
While one of the main selling points of Invisalign is that it can be removed while the patient eats, it can be a little too easy to leave them out for too long. For Invisalign to work, the patient must wear their aligners for twenty-two hours every day.
The general rule is to only remove them for eating and drinking anything but water, but it can be too easy to leave them out for too long if you’re on the beach enjoying margaritas for hours on end. The matter gets more complicated by the facts that the patient will need to thoroughly brush and floss before putting them back in and that it’s important to wait for a half-hour after eating before brushing. Be mindful of your eating schedule while on vacation so you can wear your aligners as required.
There’s no reason your Invisalign treatment has to go off course during vacation. By keeping these tips in mind, you can keep your teeth healthy and their realignment on track.
About the Author
Dr. Ashley Civetti earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Texas Health Science Center School of Dentistry at Houston, where she graduated with Omicron Kappa Upsilon Honors. She maintains active memberships with the Florida Dental Association, the American Dental Association, and the Academy of General Dentistry. Her office in Royal Palm Beach, FL offers general, cosmetic, restorative, and emergency dentistry as well as Invisalign treatments. For more information on staying on top of Invisalign treatment, contact the office online or dial (561) 771-5239.