It won’t be long till Halloween is here, so you’re likely about ready for “spooky season.” Maybe you’ve even picked a costume for the frightful festivities! That said, you’ll need to be extra careful if you’re using clear aligners during this year’s All-Hallows’ Eve. You wouldn’t want the holiday to get in the way of your smile alignment work. So, let your Temple dentist offer helpful tips for getting through a Halloween with Invisalign.
Remove Your Trays for Treats
Invisalign doesn’t restrict your foods, so you can enjoy Halloween candy. Still, remember to remove your trays before you chow down.
To be clear, you shouldn’t wear your aligners during any meals. Your bite could crack or damage them, and drinks could stain their plastic. Given that fact, you should store them safely before you eat your spooky treats. You’ll save time and money otherwise spent on replacement trays that way, making your treatment smoother.
Keep Your Teeth Clean
Don’t just pop your trays back in your mouth when you’re done with your Halloween sweets. Instead, thoroughly clean your teeth before anything else.
Note that aligners can trap the debris clinging to your teeth. If you don’t clean your smile first, re-inserting the trays will keep bits of sugar on your enamel. That would lead to a higher risk of tooth decay, cavities, and worse, so brush your smile after you eat to avoid such effects.
Wash Down With Water
Before and after you enjoy any treats, make sure to get plenty of water. Doing so will keep your mouth relatively clean and fresh.
You see, the sugar found in Halloween candy can attract harmful germs. These microbes will decay your teeth if enough of them gather, making cavities more likely. Thankfully, water would wash away the lingering sugar in your mouth before anything could happen. The drink can prevent bacterial acids from getting trapped beneath the trays.
Eat Your Sweets at Set Times
Even if you’re tempted to snack at all hours, only eat Halloween candy at set meal times. Your treatment will stay on track when you stick to this rule.
Don’t forget that you have to wear Invisalign trays for 20-22 hours a day. If you don’t meet this “wear time,” you’ll face delays in your treatment progress. That being the case, only have your candy during the set times for meals and teeth cleaning.
Halloween with Invisalign can be tricky, but it’s perfectly manageable. Just use the tips above, and your aligner journey will stay the course!
About the Author
Dr. Richard Fossum is a dentist based in Temple, TX, having earned his DDS from the UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry. He loves helping his patients’ smiles thrive with preventive, cosmetic, and restorative treatments, as well as emergency dental care. He’ll even straighten out crooked grins with top-tier Invisalign clear aligners! Today, Dr. Fossum practices at his self-titled clinic and is reachable on his website and by phone at (254)-778-3900.