Travel is an enjoyable experience rather than something that causes stress. Regardless whether you plan for a holiday on the beach, a work trip, or just a weekend away from home, your Invisalign treatment does not need to hinder you. Actually, with some preparation you can keep everything on track regardless of how far you go.

The great thing about traveling with Invisalign is that it is quite easy to do. With the right approach and a few easy things to remember, you will enjoy your journey while sticking to the treatment regimen. These are some useful tips for traveling with Invisalign provided by Our Central Coast Orthodontics team.

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Pack More Than One Set of Aligners

One of the most intelligent things that you can do before heading out is to bring not only the aligners you are using right now but rather to pack a bit more. To begin with, it would make sense for you to pack your current aligners along with the next pair of trays in addition to those which you will be needing.

Secondly, it may be a good idea for you to bring some extra aligners just in case something happens. Sometimes travel plans can change. Thirdly, it should go without saying that you cannot head out without your Invisalign case.

Create a Simple Invisalign Travel Kit

A little bit of organization goes a long way when traveling. Rather than having to dig out all the products you need each time you need to eat, simply put all your products together into one small bag.

The items needed in your travel kit include:

• Your Invisalign case
• Travel toothbrush
• Travel-sized toothpaste
• Dental floss or dental floss picks
• Mouth wash
• Aligner cleaning tablets if possible
• Chewies to seat your aligners correctly

Should you have a portable ultrasonic cleaner, then that would be an added advantage. However, the use of a toothbrush is just fine while traveling.

Keep Your Aligners Clean Wherever You Go

Fortunately, cleaning your Invisalign while traveling is easy. When you take out your aligners, rinse them using cold or warm water. Do not use hot water since heat could possibly damage the material and the way your aligners fit in.

If you have cleaning tablets, allow your aligners to soak for 10 to 15 minutes. Without the cleaning tablets, just rinse them using cold or warm water then place them back into your mouth. Maintaining clean aligners will keep your aligners looking clear as well as keeping your mouth clean throughout the trip.

What If I Cannot Brush Immediately?

Your travel schedule may not provide enough time to brush your teeth after every meal. Perhaps you are sightseeing, boarding the plane, or eating on the go. This is quite alright.

All that you need to do is rinse both your mouth and your aligners with water before you brush your teeth right away. The above is a very simple procedure to get rid of the food particles before you can brush your teeth normally. In the same way, having a travel toothbrush along with you in your bag makes it easy when you are traveling.

Eating and Drinking on Vacation

One of the greatest things about wearing Invisalign is that you can keep eating your favorite food when traveling. You just need to take them out before eating or drinking anything but plain water. Then, after the meal, you should clean your teeth, wash the aligners, and put them back on.

You may drink something from time to time using a straw and not having to remove the aligners to prevent them from coming into contact with your teeth. However, it would be better to remove your aligners when consuming such a drink.

It is important not to use the napkin to wrap the aligners in while eating. It is one of the most common cases when people lose their aligners. When taking them out of your mouth, you need to have them in the case.

Stay Consistent During Your Trip

While vacation may interfere with regular activities, your Invisalign appointments should remain as usual. You need to wear your aligners for a minimum of 20 hours per day. It is important to use your phone to remind yourself about wearing them because sometimes it becomes hard to do this while being busy with your family.

If you miss a few hours occasionally, it won't matter much. However, missing out on wearing them regularly would increase your treatment duration and each new set of aligners would be tight for you.

Flying with Invisalign Is Easy

Patients often ask whether there would be problems arising from the act of flying if they use Invisalign. The answer is simple – no, there wouldn't be.

X-rays used by airport security wouldn't cause any harm to your Invisalign trays, and it's recommended to wear them throughout the flight. As you will spend several hours sitting, it would be a great chance to get some additional wear of your aligners. Don't put your Invisalign trays in your checked baggage but in your hand luggage.

Lost an Aligner? Don't Panic

The situation of losing an aligner while traveling might make you feel very stressed. But the situation does not always lead to your treatment becoming problematic.

There might be many instances where you might be able to switch to the next set of aligners and continue wearing them for a longer period than you normally would have done. The frequent use of chewies would make sure that the new aligners fit you well. However, you must always consult with your orthodontist first before proceeding further. After all, each case is different, and seeking professional advice is important.

If you are one of the patients at Central Coast Orthodontics, Santa Maria, and face any trouble while traveling, do reach out to us. We will assist you in figuring out which course of action to take.

Enjoy Your Trip Without Missing a Step

Invisalign Traveling is Not as Hard as Most People Think It Is. With some preparation, an adequate traveling kit, and regular wear, all your adventures will not get in the way of a perfect smile. No matter if you travel to another city by plane or drive a car somewhere close to your city, everything you need to do is to follow the same set of healthy habits that you use every day.