Remember when you were a kid and the most stressful thing about dealing with Halloween was figuring out the best route for collecting the most candy? Well, times have changed, and although even the fun-sized confections aren’t so fun sized anymore, the excitement of the spookiest night of the year still lives on. If you’ll be heading into the scary season sporting Invisalign aligners, here are some useful tips for managing the onslaught of sweets headed your way, so you can maintain a strong, healthy, beautiful smile despite the Halloween horrors!
The Benefits of Invisalign at Halloween
Unlike traditional braces, your Invisalign aligners can be easily removed for meals and oral hygiene. This means you won’t have to avoid certain sweets or categories of foods to stay compliant with your treatment. In fact, when it comes to candy, the sky’s the limit. Just be sure that you take your trays out before indulging, and that you brush and floss your teeth prior to putting them back on. Furthermore, don’t forget to wear them for at least 22 hours a day, so be certain to put them back on after you’ve finished your snack!
No Tricks, Just Treats
While thankfully there are no dietary restrictions with Invisalign, there are still certain foods you should limit for your smile’s sake. For example, it is best to avoid things like hard candies, as these tend to stay in your mouth for extended periods, coating your teeth with sugar. They also eat into your aligner-free time, so if it takes you 10 minutes to eat one single candy, that’s time you can’t spend on eating an entire meal!
If you do choose this type of confection, be sure to brush and floss well, and no matter which type of treat you eat, be sure to follow it up with a glass of water to rinse residue off your teeth until you can brush them!
Protecting Your Smile with Invisalign
With Invisalign, it’s important to take your trays off before eating anything but water, and brush and floss before putting them back on. Thus, if you know you’ll be eating anything at a spooky soiree or even dipping into your (safety checked!) goody bag ahead of time, be sure to bring your toothbrush, paste, Invisalign carrying case, and floss with you!
Remember, while the scary season may be upon us, there’s no need to be terrified about caring for your teeth with Invisalign! With its discreet, comfortable trays, you can enjoy a wide range of creepy confections, all without risking your aligners or setting back your treatment timeline. So, have a safe, healthy, happy Halloween, and don’t forget to take care of your smile so you don’t end up looking like a jack-o-lantern!
About Dr. Bemani
A native of Iran, Dr. Maryam Bemani has called Maryland home for over 20 years. After earning her master’s degree in biomedical science at Hood College, she earned her dental degree at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry. A proponent of continuing education, she regularly takes courses in a variety of oral health topics and is proudly certified as an Invisalign provider. To schedule a consultation for Invisalign at Advance Dental Clinic, visit our website or call us today at 443-251-5580.