Halloween is right around the corner, and you might be feeling pretty excited to enjoy some spooky festivities, put on your chosen scary costume, and feast on some of your favorite treats and sweets. But if you have Invisalign, it’s best to beware of some of the scary things out there that don’t send a chill down your spine, but rather, threaten your clear aligners! Continue reading below to learn more about three tips that are certain to help you keep your Invisalign aligners clean and uncompromised this spooky season!
Tip #1. Eat What You Want, but Be Careful
One reason that patients love Invisalign is that the treatment doesn’t come with any dietary restrictions, compared to the long list of off-limit items associated with traditional metal braces. As long as the clear aligners are removed beforehand, patients can enjoy virtually any and all foods—including Halloween candy! That said, it doesn’t mean you should be careless; always remove the aligners before eating, even if you’re just nibbling on a piece of candy. Also be sure that you’re cleaning your teeth before snapping your aligners back into place, so that you aren’t trapping lingering bacteria against your teeth.
Tip #2. Don’t Neglect Your Wear Time
Perhaps the most important rule concerning Invisalign is that the clear aligners need to be worn roughly 20 – 22 hours every day, to ensure that the patient’s teeth move as intended. If you factor in the time spent eating three meals each day and brushing twice daily, it doesn’t leave you with much wiggle room. This means that you’ll want to make smart decisions about your snacking habits, since the aligners need to come out any time you eat something. One great way of doing this is eating your candy with your meals, since your aligners will already be out anyway, and your saliva will already be at work neutralizing the acids in your mouth.
Tip #3. Drink Plenty of Water
Did you know that water is by far and away the best beverage for your overall health? Not only does it lack the sugary and acidic particles found in other drinks, but it also stimulates your mouth’s flow of saliva, which is your best defense against cavities. Not to mention, since it’s clear, it won’t stain your teeth or Invisalign aligners. This means that this Halloween, you shouldn’t hesitate to have water with your candy, without your candy, and any other chance you get!
By keeping these tips in mind, you can ensure that your smile doesn’t just look its best this Halloween—your Invisalign treatment is also kept right on track.
About the Practice
The talented team at My Frederick Dentist has proudly served patients and families in the Frederick, MD community for several years under the leadership of Dr. Andrew Aziz and Dr. Sunghyeok Hong. Their practice is thrilled to offer a wide range of services, including orthodontic options like Invisalign! If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to set up a consultation to see if you might benefit from clear aligner therapy, feel free to visit the practice’s website or give them a call for further assistance. Telephone: (301) 698-9552.