Are you going on a mid-winter vacation to escape the dreary Tulsa weather? Taking a trip to a tropical island or boarding your first cruise is exciting! The last worry that should be on your mind is whether or not your fun will cause you to slip up during your Invisalign treatment. If you’re straightening your smile with clear aligners, the good news is that you chose the most convenient orthodontic treatment, especially while you’re on vacation! Read on to learn four tips to help you seamlessly travel without throwing a wrench in your Invisalign treatment.
Tip 1: Don’t Forget Your Oral Health Essentials
Whether you’re undergoing Invisalign treatment or not during your vacation, you’ll want to make sure to pack all of your oral health essentials with you. These include a soft-bristled, travel-sized toothbrush and protective container. You’ll also want to bring an additional toothbrush to clean your trays. Don’t forget to either bring regular dental floss, which can be less bulky in your luggage than a water flosser, or you can bring flossing picks. Pick up a travel-sized container of mouthwash as well. Pack all of these oral hygiene essentials in a travel-sized bag so you can easily access them when you need them!
Tip 2: Maintain Your Regular Routine
Going on vacation is all about relaxing and letting time pass without an ounce of stress. However, because you’ve worked so hard this far to straighten your smile, there is one thing that you should consider every day, and that’s your orthodontic treatment. The good news is that Invisalign treatment is discreet and convenient, so you won’t have to worry about much. Simply stick to your regular oral hygiene routine and be sure to wear your aligners for 20 to 22 hours a day, being sure to take them out when you’re drinking anything besides water or eating.
Tip 3: Bring Your Next Set of Aligners
Take your next series of aligners in your treatment with you just in case. That way, if you accidentally lose a, you can wear the next aligners in your treatment. This will mean that you won’t need to put your journey on hold until you get back home.
Tip 4: Bring a Travel-Sized Container of Clear Hand Soap
Even though your hotel will likely have fancy-smelling hand soap for you to clean up with, you won’t want to use this to clean your aligners because it could discolor them if it isn’t clear, or it could make your mouth taste weird! Get the most out of fancy steakhouse dinners and wonderful new flavors of the region you’re visiting by only using clear, scent-free hand soap to clean your trays. You’ll want to include this in your oral hygiene essentials go-bag!
About the Author
Dr. Stephanie Flinchum is an Invisalign-certified dentist in Tulsa with years of experience under her belt. She has helped hundreds of patients transform their smiles with clear aligners, allowing them to maintain their daily freedom and convenience, all while straightening their teeth and addressing bite problems. To start your Invisalign journey, visit My Dentist Midtown’s website or call 918-949-4450.