As the temperatures continue to drop and the year draws to a close, it’s time to say hello to the holiday season. Warm cocoa, yummy treats, and irresistible homemade meals are all amazing, but our Grand Rapids Invisalign® orthodontists urge you to act responsibly. Now is not the point to neglect your changing smile.
Here are 4 ways you can enjoy the holiday festivities while .
But First, Remember to Relax and Have Fun
Just because you have Invisalign clear aligners does not mean every second of your break has to revolve around them. Of course, our orthodontists would prefer you keep the aligners clean and safe throughout the day, but it’s also important to recharge.
With Invisalign, the nice thing is that there’s a lot more you can enjoy during a holiday party compared to standard metal braces. For instance, certain snacks that are crunchy or chewy are fair game since there are no brackets or wires to mind. Eating seasonal foods is much easier when you have removable aligners.
Related Post → Top Foods to Avoid With Braces
So, go ahead and let loose a little. It’s still very much possible to wear your aligners properly while having fun with friends and family. If you do have any Invisalign related questions, please don’t hesitate to contact our Grand Rapids, MI, orthodontics office.
During Parties and Family Get-Togethers, We Recommend:
1) Not Letting Up on Brushing and Flossing
While the holidays are fun and there are sweets everywhere, it’s not an excuse to neglect your oral hygiene. Preventing plaque from building up on your teeth and around your gums is important normally but doubly so when you are wearing clear aligners.
The bottom line is: it’s not great to put dirty aligners back on over dirty teeth. Bacteria can accumulate on the aligners which over time will stain them and ruin their clear appearance. The habit of not can also increase your risk of tooth decay thanks to trapped food particles.
Our orthodontists recommend first taking your aligners out to eat and when you drink beverages other than water. When you’re ready to put them back in, brush and floss your teeth before also cleaning the aligners. Are you somewhere where you can’t brush your teeth? Rinse your mouth out with water and also run the aligners under the tap as well.
2) Keeping Your Case Handy
If you’re planning on trying a little bit of everything in terms of food and drinks, be sure you have the protective case we gave you for your Invisalign. You’ll want to place the clear aligners inside this case each time you take them out as it will help keep them safe.
By using your case, you’re also preventing any potential damage from happening to your trays. Invisalign aligners are made of durable plastic but they’re also thin which means they can crack or snap in two if you’re not careful. Do yourself a favor and put them in the case to avoid accidentally throwing them away in a napkin.
3) Taking Time to Clean Your Invisalign Trays
Amidst the food, games, music, and more, remember to clean your aligners thoroughly. Just rinsing them will only do so much. Bacteria needs to be removed with a soft-bristled toothbrush, lukewarm water, and a small amount of clear antibacterial soap.
Learn More → How to Clean Your Invisalign® Aligners
Never run your aligners under hot water or use whitening toothpaste. Both of these can warp, crack, and alter your aligners in a way that will make them less effective. If you prefer, Invisalign also sells specialized cleaning products like the “Steraligner” and cleaning crystals. These aren’t necessary for a perfect clean but you can use them to streamline the experience.
4) Staying Committed to Your Progress
Your smile will only change if your Invisalign aligners are worn properly. Each set in your personalized series should be in place for 20-22 hours a day with the time left over being used for eating, brushing, and flossing.
Not wearing your aligners enough will result in delayed progress and unwanted corrections. You are encouraged to enjoy the holiday fun, but keep in mind that you’re also working towards one goal: a straighter smile.
Have Invisalign Questions? We Have Answers
Achieving your dream smile requires a level of dedication but our , recognizes that you’re only human. Therefore, you deserve to relax. Just be sure to place your aligners in their case when not in use and practice oral hygiene! Call Miller Orthodontics today at (616) 942-9320 to request an appointment.
This blog post has been updated.
