Invisalign on a Night Out: Tips and Tricks
Anyone using Invisalign has heard the drill before: the more you wear them, the faster and better they work.
It’s recommended that people wear their Invisalign trays at least 22 hours each day. Yes, that’s basically all the time. The only reason to take them out is to eat or drink, and to brush your teeth and clean the trays.
We try to be honest and let people know that they will need to make certain lifestyle changes for the duration of the treatment. Yes, you’ll need to plan in advance if you’re going out for the night, and yes, you need to think ahead when planning your day.
But life happens! Sometimes things don’t go according to plan and sometimes things come up.
People often wonder what happens if they want to go out for the night?What if they want to go to the club or have a long dinner that includes wine?
Don’t worry – you can still live your life and have a fun night out with Invisalign. But yes, Invisalign is a commitment and you will need to practice some caution.
Here are some Tips & Tricks for a night out with Invisalign.
Be prepared! Make sure you bring your case with you so that you have somewhere safe to store the trays when you take them out to eat and drink. We’ve dealt all too frequently with people who wrapped their trays in a napkin only to lose track of them! You don’t want your Invisalign to end up in the trash.
If you can, pack a travel cleaning kit with a mini brush and floss. When you’re done eating and drinking, slip away to the bathroom for a quick cleaning session. If you don’t have the proper tools to clean your trays properly, make sure you rinse well with water post-meal.
Try to keep it all to one sitting. If you are going for a nice meal out, take out your trays and enjoy your time. But when it’s done, it’s done! If you are planning to keep the night going, try switching to water.
Use caution when drinking alcohol. Red wine will stain your teeth and your trays so it’s best to avoid it. Some people think they can skirt the rules by drinking clear alcohol with their trays in but remember that alcohol is full of sugar and can damage your teeth.
At the very least, try to limit your intake of alcohol while wearing Invisalign, and if you do drink make sure you clean your teeth and trays as soon as you can.
We haven’t met many people who LOVE undergoing orthodontic treatment. Remember: it’s a means to an end! You are going to walk away with the smile you’ve always wanted.
And yes, there are some sacrifices you will have to make along the way. Eating and drinking needs to be done with a little more caution and care, but you can still have fun! Just be prepared, be careful and keep your eye on the prize.
Dr. Williams, an orthodontist in Surrey, and the South Surrey Smiles team are dedicated to providing the South Surrey, White Rock, and surrounding communities with consistently exceptional orthodontic care, creating a fun, relaxed practice where you can feel truly at home.