By now you’ve likely gotten the hang of your Invisalign routine, but even if you haven’t, it shouldn’t be long before you have it down. After all, it’s pretty easy to maintain from home. But what happens when you must travel? Hitting the road can be stressful enough without the added concern of orthodontic treatment. Don’t despair! If you’re undergoing Invisalign treatment and need to spend some time away from home, here are some tips for helping maintain your routine and keeping your treatment on track!
Check In Before You Check Out
If you have enough advance notice before you need to head out of town, schedule a progress check appointment with your dentist before you go. This way if any adjustments need to be made you can make them ahead of your travels, and if everything is going well you can take off without concerns.
Pack it Up
Make sure when you’re packing your suitcase that you include everything you need for proper oral health maintenance. Some items to take along include:
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Floss
- Aligner case
- Spare aligners
- Retainer soak
- Over-the-counter pain medicine
Check the Ground Conditions
Depending on where you’re headed, be sure to check if the water is safe to drink. If not, only use bottled water to drink, brush your teeth with, and to rinse or soak your aligners.
Stay on Track
Remember, you should still be wearing your aligners for 22 hours each day, removing them to eat and drink anything but water, and brushing your teeth before putting them back on after eating. While this can often be difficult while on the road, it is important to stick to this schedule as closely as possible for your treatment to work as planned.
A Lot to Unpack
Once you return home, be sure to resume your normal Invisalign routine, and if you are away for an extended period, be sure to schedule an appointment with your dentist to make sure you are still on track despite your time on the road.
Remember, it’s natural to be a little stressed out about traveling, but if you keep these tips in mind, there’s no reason that your orthodontic treatment should add to your concerns. Bon voyage!
About Our Practice
At Morgan-Hill Dental Care, we understand that our patients are more than just a set of teeth, but real people with real lives and concerns. That’s why we strive to provide personalized care to each patient who sits down in our chairs. We are proud to help people of all ages with a wide range of treatments from general exams to Invisalign, all in a fun, relaxed atmosphere that doesn’t feel like the average dental clinic.
To schedule an appointment for Invisalign, please visit our website or call us today at 207-839-2655.