Traveling is already stressful, so we don’t want caring for your Invisalign to make it even worse. The good news is that there are a few small changes to your packing routine that can alleviate Invisalign- related stress taking away from your vacation. When you’re in a new place, far from your orthodontist’s office, it’s easy to remove your aligners and leave them behind. Here are some tips from Dr. Kevin Race at Race Orthodontics for traveling with your Invisalign, to make sure you don’t have to take time out of your vacation for an orthodontic emergency!
What if I Lose my Invisalign while Traveling?
When traveling for longer periods of time, always take your previous set of aligners, your current set, and your next set of aligners with you. Whether you will go back to the previous set or move forward to the next set if your aligners get lost will be determined by how long you have been wearing your current set. The general rule of thumb is if the current aligners are tight, go back. If you can remove them easily and are in your second week, move forward to the next set.
If you are going to be out of town for more than two weeks, we can order replacement aligners and ship them to you. Continue wearing your previous set until they arrive and start again with the new set.
When you’re traveling by plane, be careful to keep aligners with you I your carry-on. Leaving them in checked bags is a good way for them to be lost or delayed. If you’re concerned about losing your aligners, bringing an extra case is always a good idea. If you leave one behind in a hotel or restaurant, you’ll have a spare.
Oral Health Away from Home
It’s important to maintain good oral health when traveling, even though you might not have all the resources you’re used to. Brushing and flossing aren’t as convenient when you aren’t at home. When out and about, if you can’t brush after a meal make sure you rinse out your mouth. You can brush your teeth when you get back to your room, taking two minutes out of your vacation could save you a dental visit!
Invisalign is a great alternative to wearing braces for many teens and adults. But unlike braces, your aligners aren’t bonded to your teeth, so be sure to consider them when you’re traveling! If you have questions or problems when traveling with aligners, don’t hesitate to contact us. We are here to help.