Whether you’re an adult or teenager, Halloween is an exciting holiday. For teens, it could mean going door-to-door to collect a delicious stash of sweet treats, and for adults, it could mean eating the leftover candy after the trick-or-treaters have fizzled out for the night! In any case, if you’re undergoing Invisalign orthodontics, you’ll want to take a couple of precautions to make sure that indulging in the festivities doesn’t ruin your treatment progress. Learn four tips to help you survive Halloween with Invisalign aligners below.
Be Mindful Not to Snack on Sweets
With a large stash of candy at your disposal, you may be tempted to snack on your favorite treats throughout the day. However, this would involve needing to take out your aligners multiple times. Not only that, but if you don’t brush and floss after every time snack, it could lead to sugars becoming trapped between your aligners and teeth. This could put you at a higher risk of developing cavities and even gum disease during your treatment.
Brush & Floss After Each Time You Indulge
Whether you decide to snack on treats or just eat a few once or twice a day, it’s still important to brush and floss before putting your trays back in your mouth. You’ll also want to rinse your aligners with room temperature or cool water, and be sure to soak them in Invisalign cleaning crystals for between 15 and 30 minutes each day to keep them clean. This will also prevent sugar from building up on your teeth as well as trays.
Remember to Put Your Aligners Back In
It’s crucial to wear your aligners for between 20 and 22 hours each day to make sure you stay on track with your treatment timeline. If you’re constantly taking them out throughout the day to snack on sweets, it’s likely that you’ll forget to put them back in your mouth. This could set your timeline back.
Enjoy Your Halloween!
Even though you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment, you can still make the most out of your seasonal festivities. In fact, you should! With Invisalign aligners, you have the freedom to eat what you want, when you want. It’s just important to remember to properly clean and care for your grin as you’re working towards your final goals.
About the Author
Dr. Erika Whitehouse is a certified Invisalign provider dedicated to offering her patients high-quality, convenient dentistry. She has helped countless teens and adults gain a straighter, healthier grin with Invisalign and loves being able to offer this discreet alternative to traditional braces to her patients. For questions or to schedule a consultation to see if you’re a good candidate for Invisalign, visit Derby Dental’s website or call 512-795-0128.