I’m Traveling Soon; How Can I Keep Up with Invisalign?

Dental misalignments can lead to a host of issues like difficulty chewing, problems with speaking clearly, and being shy about showing your smile. Thankfully, Invisalign can be an excellent way to straighten out mild to moderate misalignments without the irremovable metal parts and frustrating dietary restrictions that come with traditional braces. Here’s a quick guide to how you can make sure your Invisalign treatment stays on track while traveling for business or pleasure.

Pack a Dental Hygiene Kit

The harmful germs that cause tooth decay and dental stains don’t take vacations, so it’s important to make sure you continue practicing excellent oral hygiene while you’re on the road. Start with a durable case that can be easily cleaned and fill it with dental care essentials like:

• A toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Dental floss
• Travel-sized mouthwash
• Any new aligners you will need to switch to during your trip
• Any utensils you use to remove or insert your aligners
• Over-the-counter pain medication in case you experience discomfort

During Invisalign treatment, it’s crucial to thoroughly brush and floss after eating or drinking anything but water to prevent accumulations of sugary residues that can breed harmful oral bacteria.

Bring a Protective Case

It is essential to remove your Invisalign clear aligners before eating or drinking anything but water. People tend to eat at restaurants a lot when traveling, and it is terribly easy for Invisalign aligners to be swept up and thrown away with the scraps if they are left in the open such as on a napkin next to one’s eating space. To prevent this, be sure to store your appliances in a clean, rigid case that can be easily stored in your pocket when you are not wearing them.

Make Sure You Wear Your Aligners Sufficiently Each Day

Invisalign clear aligners must be worn for at least twenty hours daily for the treatment to work. Since the aligners must be removed when eating or drinking anything but water, frequently snacking while traveling can make it difficult to meet this minimum wear time. You’ll also need to thoroughly brush and floss before inserting your aligners again, and it’s ideal to wait at least thirty minutes after a snack, meal, or beverage before cleaning your teeth. Taking care to time your meals so you can clean your teeth afterward and continue wearing your aligners as scheduled will help your treatment progress as planned.

Don’t let your vacation or business trip lead to frustrating treatment delays or painful oral infections. Taking care to comply with your Invisalign instructions will allow you to keep your realignment process on track and as comfortable as possible.

About the Author

Dr. Terry F. Rakowsky earned his dental degree at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine and has refined his skills further through coursework from the Dawson Academy and the Las Vegas Institute. He is proud to be a member of the American Dental Association and the Pennsylvania Dental Association, and his office in Doylestown provides general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency services. To learn more about complying with your Invisalign treatment, contact the office online or dial (215) 348-2224.