Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate with family, friends, and delicious food. However, if you’re wearing Invisalign, you might be wondering how to enjoy the feast without interrupting your treatment. The good news? With a little planning, you can still savor your favorite dishes while keeping your aligners safe and your treatment on track.
Plan on traveling for the holidays? Let Dr. Mihir Patel and Dr. Shaun Sigurdson know. The team at Lakewood Dental Group can plan your clear aligner therapy around your holiday itinerary, keeping your treatment progressing as intended. Call our Invisalign dentists in Dallas, TX, at (214) 827-1885 for a visit now!
Your holiday doesn’t have to be complicated. Here’s how to make the most of Thanksgiving while caring for your Invisalign aligners and your smile.
Take Out Your Aligners Before You Eat
One of the best parts about Invisalign is that the aligners are easy to take out. So, before diving into your Thanksgiving meal, take your trays out and store them in their case. This protects them from damage and prevents them from getting lost or thrown away.
Remember: Eating with Invisalign can cause stains, warping, or even cracks in your aligners. So, always remove them before you start eating.
Enjoy Your Favorite Foods – Just Be Mindful
Clear aligners give you the freedom to eat all of your favorite foods. However, the key is to brush and rinse before putting your aligners back in.
Sugary foods like sweet potato casserole, pies, or cranberry sauce can leave sugar and acids on your teeth, increasing the risk of decay. Before wearing your aligners again, make sure your mouth is clean.
If you’re traveling or can’t brush right away, rinse your mouth with water to remove food particles and bacteria. Clean aligners and clean teeth go hand in hand for successful Invisalign treatment.
Drink Wisely: Choose Water Over Sugary Beverages
Your trays are crystal clear, but they can easily stain or trap liquids against your teeth. Avoid drinking wine, cider, soda, or coffee while wearing your aligners. These beverages can discolor both the trays and your enamel.
Instead, drink water throughout the meal. Water not only keeps you hydrated but also rinses away sugars and acids that can harm your teeth. If you want to enjoy other drinks, remove your Invisalign first and rinse your mouth afterward.
Stick to Your Invisalign Wear Schedule
Even during the holidays, maintaining your Invisalign routine is essential. Your Dallas Invisalign dentists strongly recommend wearing aligners 20 to 22 hours each day to keep your treatment progressing as planned.
It’s easy to lose track of time during long family gatherings. So, try setting a reminder on your phone to help you remember.
Furthermore, try to limit the time your aligners are out to less than two hours. After your meal, brush, rinse, and pop them back in.
Keep Your Aligners Clean and Odor-Free
Thanksgiving foods can be flavorful. Sometimes, that flavor lingers. Keep your Invisalign trays fresh by cleaning them properly each day. Use room temperature water and a soft toothbrush to gently remove residue. Never use toothpaste, as it can scrape the surface of your aligners and make them cloudy.
If you’re visiting family, pack a small cleaning kit that includes a travel toothbrush, floss, and an aligner case. Keeping your aligners clean during the holidays helps prevent odors and maintains their invisible look.
Avoid Sticky or Hard Foods
Sticky, crunchy, or chewy foods may be Thanksgiving favorites, but they can spell trouble for your Invisalign treatment. Caramel, toffee, hard candy, and crusty bread can easily get stuck between teeth or damage dental work.
Even though you’ll remove your trays before eating, it’s still best to limit these foods. Sticky residues can cling to your teeth, and if you don’t brush, bacteria can thrive.
Brush and Floss After Every Meal
After enjoying your Thanksgiving meal, don’t skip brushing and flossing before reinserting your Invisalign aligners. Food debris stuck between your teeth and trays can lead to plaque buildup, bad breath, and discoloration.
Carry travel-sized oral care tools with you, like a foldable toothbrush, mini toothpaste, and floss picks. Brushing for two minutes and flossing thoroughly after feasting will keep your teeth clean and your aligners crystal clear.
If you can’t brush right away, swish with water and rinse your aligners thoroughly. Then, brush as soon as possible. This small step will make a big difference in your Invisalign success.
Plan Ahead for Travel
If you’re traveling for Thanksgiving, preparation is key. Your Invisalign aligners need the same care away from home as they do in your daily routine. Bring your aligner case, toothbrush, toothpaste, and cleaning tools with you.
Pack extra aligners if you’re due for a switch soon. Your dentist can provide guidance before you leave.
Traveling with Invisalign doesn’t have to be stressful. Staying organized and maintaining your routine will help you enjoy your trip and your treatment with confidence.
Protect Your Progress After the Holidays
Once Thanksgiving is over, check in with your Invisalign schedule and progress. If you accidentally left your trays out for too long or skipped wear time, contact Lakewood Dental Group for advice.
Dr. Sigurdson and Dr. Patel may recommend extending your current aligner use by a day or two to keep your treatment aligned. Don’t try to rush the process by wearing the next set early. Doing so can cause discomfort or poor alignment.
Invisalign in Dallas, TX – Something to Be Thankful For!
Thanksgiving is all about gratitude, and that includes being thankful for the progress you’re making with Invisalign. By following a few smart habits, you can protect your aligners, maintain your oral health, and still enjoy your favorite foods.
Your smile transformation doesn’t have to pause for the holidays. Remove your aligners when eating, clean them often, and stick to your schedule. With these simple steps, your Thanksgiving will be both delicious and Invisalign-friendly.
Need help planning your treatment around your holiday itinerary? Contact Lakewood Dental Group for an appointment here, or call us in Dallas, TX, at (214) 827-1885 to start preparing for the holidays.
