When summer finally arrives, it often means a break for many whether that’s from school or work. However, if you’re wearing clear aligners, you shouldn’t take time off from your treatment. Our Grand Rapids Invisalign® orthodontists strongly urge you to stay on track with treatment obligations alongside fun activities.
Here are 5 ways you can relax in the summer while also taking care of your Invisalign aligners.
Throughout Summer, Remember To:
1. Prioritize Hydration & Clean Aligners
Staying hydrated is key when you’re outside a bunch enjoying the weather. You’ll want to make sure you’re regularly sipping on some water as you run, play sports, sunbathe, or go for walks. It’s also important that you drink water to prevent dry mouth and ensure saliva production while .
Dry mouth is exactly how it sounds. It’s essentially a condition in which an individual’s salivary glands do not produce enough natural saliva to keep their mouth wet. When it happens, it can feel uncomfortable, but if it’s only caused by a lack of water, it can be easily fixed.
Remember to take your Invisalign clear aligners out if you plan on drinking anything other than water or you could risk staining them. Hot beverages like coffee or tea can also potentially damage the aligners so putting them in their case until you’ve finished your drink is the best move.
2. Keep Your Aligners Out of the Heat
You are welcome to soak up the sun (with sunscreen of course), but we can’t say the same for your clear aligners. They are durable and built to withstand a fair amount, but unfiltered sun exposure can lead to possible warping or distortion of the thin plastic.
As you engage in summer activities, please keep your in place. Otherwise, Dr. Miller recommends you safely put them in their protective case like when you’re eating or cleaning your teeth. Do not forget them in a hot car or allow them to get too close to a heat source while they’re out, however.
3. Stick to Your Oral Hygiene Routine
Taking care of your teeth and subsequently, your aligners should never fall by the wayside. Dr. Miller recommends that you continue to brush your teeth multiple times a day and floss at least once daily. This will make sure your smile remains clean underneath the top and bottom trays.
Cleaning clear aligners can happen at the same time as your other oral hygiene duties. That way, you remember and they don’t accumulate bacteria or start to stain. You can use either a soft-bristled toothbrush or Invisalign branded cleaning products for this. Don’t use any rough or whitening toothpastes when brushing and never rinse them under hot water.
Going on a trip? Pack a travel-sized oral hygiene kit for convenient, on-the-go cleaning.
4. Plan Out When You Eat
Unlike with metal braces, you don’t need to worry about being choosy with your food over the summer. As long as you take your aligners out and clean your teeth before putting them back in, you can eat whatever you’d like.
One thing you will have to consider is your “meal strategy”. You should wear your aligners for 22 hours each day so that only leaves a few hours for eating or oral care. Don’t eat too fast but be mindful of how long each meal or snack lasts so you can use your time wisely. Setting a timer can help you with this.
5. Pack for Trips & Other Activities
As mentioned under #3, a small oral care kit is perfect for when you leave home. It’s also a good idea to bring the next aligners in your series in case something happens to your current set, and you need to pop those in. Before you go, feel free to ask Dr. Miller questions about your Invisalign treatment and he’d be happy to give you advice for longer trips.
Questions? Give Us a Call!
If you proceed as normal and do everything our Invisalign orthodontists in Grand Rapids, MI, have recommended, your clear aligners should serve you well this summer. Call Miller Orthodontics today at (616) 942-9320 to ask us any questions or request an appointment.
