If you travel while you’re in the middle of your Invisalign treatment, you need to be careful. When you’re away from your regular routine, it can be all too easy to make mistakes that could potentially throw off the process of straightening your teeth. But if you take the right precautions, you can keep your treatment on track while also getting the most out of your vacation! Here are 4 tips that Invisalign-wearers should keep in mind while traveling.
1. Remember to Pack Extra Aligners
You typically need to switch to the next set of aligners in the Invisalign process every couple of weeks. There’s a good chance that this could happen in the middle of your trip, so it’s important to make sure that you bring your next set of aligners with you; this will allow you to keep your treatment on schedule.
It’s also a good idea to bring extra aligners in case something happens to your current ones. Sometimes if aligners are lost or broken, your dentist may advise switching back to a previous set until you can get a proper replacement.
2. Pack a Dental Essentials Kit
When wearing Invisalign, you need to clean your teeth after every meal. This is to make sure that harmful bacteria and food particles don’t become trapped between your teeth and your aligners. To ensure that you have everything you need to keep your teeth clean even while you’re away from home, you should put together a dental essentials kit that includes:
- Multiple travel-sized toothbrushes.
- Travel-sized toothpaste.
- Dental floss.
- Mouthwash.
3. Be Diligent About Wearing Your Aligners for 20 to 22 Hours a Day
In all the excitement of going to new places and trying out new foods, it can be all too easy to forget to wear your Invisalign aligners as often as you need to. In order to avoid disrupting your treatment, you must keep your aligners in your mouth for 20 to 22 hours every day. To make sure that you do so, set a timer whenever you take your aligners out to eat or drink something. This will allow you to keep track of how long they’ve been outside your mouth and act accordingly.
4. Check to See if the Water is Safe for Rinsing Your Aligners
You should always rinse off your aligners before you put them back in your mouth. However, depending on where you travel, the water might not be safe for drinking or cleaning. In some cases, it may be best to use bottled water for rinsing your aligners.
About the Author
Dr. Sheren Elsaid studied dentistry at Temple University and completed her Advanced Education in General Dentistry through the NYU Langone Dental Medicine Program. She holds membership with the American Academy of Clear Aligners, and she proudly offers Invisalign as a discreet alternative to braces. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Elsaid at Zen Dental Care in Parsippany-Troy Hills, visit her website or call (973) 370-5221.