There are so many things to make sure you have in your bags when you travel. It can be easy to forget about your teeth in the process. When traveling with Invisalign, itโs important to plan for time away from home adequately. Especially since Invisalign isnโt attached to your teeth!
ย When youโre somewhere unfamiliar and deviating from your routine, itโs easy to lose an aligner at a hotel, restaurant, or in transit. Here are some tips from Dr. Laurie McNamara McClatchey at McNamara Orthodonticsย for traveling with your Invisalign, to make sure you donโt have to take time out of your vacation for an orthodontic emergency!
ย
What if I Lose my Invisalign while Traveling?
When traveling for long periods of time, always take your previous set, current set, and your next set of aligners with you. If your aligners get lost, you will either go back to the previous set or move forward to the next set will be determined by how long you have been wearing your current set. The general rule is if the current aligners are tight, use your previous set. If you can remove them easily or are in your second week of wear move forward to the next set.ย
If youโll be away for two weeks or more, replacement aligners can be shipped directly to you. Continue wearing your previous set until they arrive and start again with the new set.
Invisalign During Travel
While youโre on your way to your vacation destination, be aware and prepared. Itโs best to keep aligners on you, in carry-on luggage and out of checked bags which can get lost and delayed. While in transit, be prepared. If youโre concerned about losing aligners, an extra case is always a good idea. And then, if you leave one behind in a hotel or restaurant, youโll have a spare.
Health Away from Home
When you arenโt in your open bathroom and bedroom, maintaining your oral health can be tricky. But itโs important to make sure that youโre still brushing and flossing while away from home. And even though itโs a bit cumbersome, try to keep up your after-meal brushing. When youโre away from home itโs important to maintain good oral health, even though you might not have all the resources youโre used to. Taking two minutes out of your vacation could save you a dental visit in the future!
Invisalign is a great alternative to wearing braces for many teens and adults. But unlike braces, your aligners arenโt bonded to your teeth, so be sure to consider them when youโre traveling! If you have questions or problems when traveling with aligners, donโt hesitate to contact us. We are here to help.