Top Invisalign Tips for Surviving the Holidays

The holiday season can be one of the most challenging times for people in Invisalign treatment or clear aligner therapy. With festive dinners, happy hours, and holiday parties, it’s easy to lose track of your daily Invisalign wear time, misplace your aligners, or slack on keeping them clean.

As a dental professional, I want you to enjoy the holidays without compromising your progress. To help you stay on track with your clear aligner treatment while still celebrating the season, here are my top Invisalign care tips:

Tip #1: Always Bring Your Aligner Case

Your aligner case is your best friend—don’t leave it behind! It might be tempting to wrap your aligners in a napkin or shove them into your pocket while enjoying a holiday meal, but this is a common way to lose or damage them. Always safeguard your clear aligners in their case to avoid unnecessary stress, like digging through the trash for them. Prioritizing proper aligner storage is a simple but crucial part of Invisalign care.

Tip #2: Plan Ahead for Aligner Wear Time

Sticking to the recommended Invisalign wear time of 20–22 hours a day can be tricky during the holidays. If you know you’ll be leaving your aligners out for a holiday party or dinner, plan ahead! For instance, if you expect to go 6 hours without wearing your aligners on Saturday, wear them for 1 extra hour each day during the week leading up to your event. This could mean trimming your lunch or dinner breaks by 30 minutes daily. Small adjustments can make a big difference in staying on track with your clear aligner treatment.

Tip #3: Use Invisalign Chew Tools for Better Fit

Achieving a perfect aligner fit is essential for your teeth to move as planned. If your schedule prevents you from extending your aligner wear time, focus on using tools like the BITE ME, 2 in 1 Aligner Tool, Invisalign chewies or Invisalign munchies.

Chew on these for at least 15-20 minutes per day to offset missed aligner wear hours. These tools help seat your aligners properly and ensure your teeth are moving according to your treatment plan and it is one of the easiest and most effective Invisalign care tips to ensure progress during busy times.

Tip #4: Keep Your Aligners Clean

Holiday foods and drinks can stain or leave your clear aligners smelling less than fresh, which might make you less motivated to wear them. Keeping your aligners clean and clear is crucial to maintaining both oral hygiene and your treatment schedule.

Here’s how to give your Invisalign aligners the care they deserve:

• Soak your aligners between meals using cleaning tablets like PUL’s FIZZ ME, Daily Aligner Cleaning Tablets or Invisalign Cleaning Crystals, Retainer Brite. 
• For a deep clean, use an ultrasonic cleaner such as an jewelry ultrasonic cleaner, or PUL’s BUZZ ME Ultrasonic Cleaner (available for preorder soon!). Add a cleaning tablet to your ultrasonic cleaner for extra sparkling clean aligners that look and taste fresh.

These simple steps ensure your aligners remain invisible and comfortable, no matter how many holiday treats you enjoy.

Tip #5: Enjoy the Holiday Season

Being in Invisalign treatment doesn’t mean you have to skip the holiday fun. Balance is key—this season comes around just once a year. If you fall behind on your Invisalign routine, don’t panic. Simply follow the tips above to minimize disruptions and get back on track.

With the right Invisalign tips and tricks, you can enjoy the holidays without compromising your smile goals.

Happy Holidays!
- Jannet