When it comes to modern orthodontic treatment, Invisalign proves to be the most practical trend compared to conventional braces. This is mainly because Invisalign gives you the much-needed freedom for teeth straightening without restrictions and discomfort. It doesn’t matter if you are heading to work at a distant location or planning for a joyful vacation, Travelling with Invisalign will help you move with much ease. That being said, you should be a bit mindful regarding the preparation, proper hygiene and consistency regarding your travel with clear aligners. By doing so, you can ensure that your treatment is on the right track while travelling. Most often, travel-related challenges may arise. However, with proper planning and the right Invisalign tips to guide you, you can enjoy stress-free trips. All you need is a better knowledge of aligner care while travelling. This blog is your perfect guide, discussing various important facets to manage your Invisalign treatment while travelling. So, without further ado, let’s begin.
Preparing for Travel with Invisalign
Preparation is key when speaking of Invisalign travel tips. Given below are some of the essential travel plans to get you ready and set out for your journey.
Pack All Invisalign Essentials
- Aligner case (keep them safe during meals)
For proper Invisalign care, you can use the case to keep the aligners safe when you are not using them, especially while you are having your meals.
- Extra aligners (previous and next set, if recommended)
Having an extra set of Invisalign while travelling would be a great idea. In case you lose a set or if the case gets damaged, with an adequate backup plan, you can continue your treatment without any hindrances.
- Cleaning crystals or tablets
It would be helpful to make use of the cleaning crystals or tablets every other day to get rid of any buildup.
- Travel-size toothpaste and toothbrush
Always have a small travel-size toothpaste and toothbrush handy so that you can use them frequently as you require and keep your oral hygiene in check. Besides the travel-sized toothpaste, toothbrush, and mouthwash, it is highly recommended to carry your floss and interdental brushes too, kept in a small pouch/Dental travel kit in an organised way. By doing so, you will have instant access to all these items to meet your needs.
Check Your Treatment Plan Before You Leave
There is no doubt that every treatment plan is customised per the patient’s needs. This makes everything much easier for you while you think about How to manage Invisalign while travelling. You need to ensure that you know exactly when to switch to the next set while you are on the go. Downloading the Invisalign app will help you with frequent reminders. Besides doing that, you can consult with your dentist regarding specific instructions while you are out on long trips.
Maintaining Your Aligner Routine on the Go
The success of your Invisalign care depends on the correct adherence to your wear time suggested by your dentist. Always stick to the recommended wear time. It’s kind of normal to skip the normal routine while you are having fun on your holidays or travelling long distances. However, don’t forget to wear your aligners back after a meal or snack. Also, be mindful that you are not without them for longer hours.
It is absolutely alright to take regular breaks, especially when you are on a long car journey or a flight. Regular breaks are indeed good for getting that bit of stretching and relaxing. Also, you can clean your aligners and properly brush your teeth while you are not wearing them. Setting regular reminders on your Invisalign app will help you with consistent wearing time during hectic travel schedules. This will ensure you are following your aligner care routine in the best way. Try to stick with the 20–22-hour wear time routine to get the finest results for your Invisalign treatment.
Eating and Cleaning While Travelling
Always remember to remove your aligners prior to having meals. Similarly, don’t forget to brush your teeth properly before you reinsert your aligners after each meal. This will ensure to maintain optimal oral hygiene without the leftover food particles. Given below are some of the quick cleaning hacks for busy days:
- The floss pick hack
You can remove your aligners and floss to get rid of food particles stuck between your teeth.
- Small-sized/fordable brush & rinse
Always carry a small-sized or portable toothbrush and a standard quality mouth rinse. You can use it to clean your teeth properly after every meal. Besides that, don’t forget to rinse your aligner tray to maintain good hygiene.
Hygiene Tips for Travellers
Here are some of the Best tips for travelling with clear aligners, especially when there is limited water access:
- Use bottled water to rinse aligners
Using bottled water is one of the safest ways to clean your aligners. Especially if you have any concerns or doubts regarding the quality of water at your destination. Bottled water for aligners will help you keep them safe from any pollutants and also effectively maintain their transparency.
- Use cleaning wipes designed for clear aligners
Another effective way to keep your aligners clean is to use specially designed antibacterial cleanser wipes. However, note that they are not meant to be an alternative solution to brushing, but just a practical substitute for cleaning.
- Avoid sugary or colored drinks while wearing aligners
It is important to refrain from having sugar-containing foods and colored drinks. Sugary foods can eventually lead to tooth decay if not properly cleaned. Colored drinks, on the other hand, can make your aligners look stained and unattractive.
Using Travel-Friendly Cleaning Tools
You can use portable dental kits, aligner cleaning foam or spray, along with foldable travel toothbrushes to ensure that your Invisalign care is under check and promptly done while travelling.
Managing Aligners During Long Flights or Road Trips
Avoid storing your aligners and other essentials in the checked or main luggage. Instead, you should have them in a Dental travel kit while travelling. Doing so will give you quick access to these items while on the go and also between having your snacks or meals.
Staying Fresh During Long Hours of Travel
Here are some of the Invisalign travel tips that help you stay fresh during extended travel hours:
- Refresh cleaning during layovers
It is essential to refresh the aligners while travelling so that you can maintain their hygiene and clarity. One way is to rinse them with lukewarm water. Immediately after removing your aligners, you can rinse them to prevent bacteria buildup and eradicate any debris.
- Dry brushing techniques
A tidy, dry soft-bristled toothbrush can be used for mildly brushing the surface of the aligners and keeping them clean. This is a good method if you are wondering How to clean Invisalign without water while you are on the go.
- Drink plenty of water to avoid dry mouth
During long-distance travel, it is important to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. By doing so, you can avoid a dry mouth and discomfort.
What to Do if Your Aligners Get Lost or Damaged
Given below are some of the useful tips to apply during such scenarios:
- Wear the previous aligner to maintain progress
You can use your Invisalign replacement aligners to maintain an unhindered treatment process.
- Never leave teeth without an aligner for long
It is quite normal that you forget to wear your aligners back after having a meal or snack. However, don’t forget to promptly wear them to achieve the desired results.
Contacting Your Dentist
Given below are a few helpful tips to stay connected with your orthodontist while travelling:
- Message or call your dental clinic
You can immediately reach out to your orthodontist via a message or call. They will provide you with the required instructions while you are on the go.
- Request emergency replacements if needed
In case you have damaged or lost your aligners and don’t have another set to proceed with your treatment, you can request emergency replacements. They will do the needful and help you get going without hassle.
- Tips for international travellers
International travellers should always be mindful of the importance of keeping up with their Invisalign care while travelling abroad. Given below are some of the useful tips that ensure a smooth journey:
- Schedule a pre-trip checkup
It is highly advisable to schedule a pre-trip appointment with the orthodontist. This will ensure that everything is in the right order before departure.
- Stay on schedule
Adhering to the schedule for the appointment is crucial. The progress of the treatment could be affected by missing a follow-up visit.
- Be mindful of the food choices
Always opt for the foods and drinks that are suggested by the orthodontist. Chewy, solid and sticky food items can cause damage to the braces and also make it inconvenient to properly clean the teeth.
Travelling Across Time Zones
While you travel across various time zones, it is important to set your aligner schedule so that it matches the local time. Given below are some of the other helpful tips for staying on track:
- How to maintain the 20–22-hour guideline
Communicate with your orthodontist and keep him informed about your travel schedule. He or she will advise how to maintain the 20-22-hour guideline of wearing aligners.
- Whether to switch aligners based on home time zone or destination
Switching aligners should be done according to the time zone of the particular destination that you are at to avoid confusion. Here again, your orthodontist will provide you with the correct advice and ensure that you are doing it right.
- Use reminders to stay consistent
You can make use of the timely reminders set on your Invisalign app so that you can stay consistent with your treatment plan.
Tips to Stay on Track During Holidays or Busy Trips
Be it for your holidays or busy official trips, staying on track is important to ensure that your Invisalign treatment is on the right track. Given below are some useful tips that you need to check out:
- Plan mealtimes smartly
By smart planning of your meal times, you can ensure the optimal usage of your aligners. Besides that, with the timely reminders, you won’t have to catch up with any lost hours of your treatment process by forgetting to wear them after having food.
- Carry your case everywhere
It is important to carry your case everywhere you go so that you can store your aligners safely and neatly when you are not using them.
- Stay hydrated and avoid sugary holiday treats while wearing aligners
It is highly recommended that you stick to the diet plan advised by your orthodontist and avoid sugary food items. By doing so, you can ensure that your oral hygiene stays perfectly aligned with your treatment plan.
When to Inform Your Dentist Before Travelling
You should inform the orthodontist before travelling with aligners. The best thing to do is to schedule a pre-trip checkup, especially if you are planning to travel abroad or your trip is scheduled for more than a couple of weeks. This would also be very helpful when your trip dates might overlap with the aligner change dates. So, irrespective of the duration of the travel, you can arrange and ensure that the progress of your treatment plan is on the right track.
Benefits of Invisalign for Frequent Travellers
Now, in the case of frequent travellers, there are numerous benefits they can enjoy while they are on their Invisalign treatment, such as:
- No metal wires or the need for emergency appointments
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Removable and convenient for taking pictures
- Discreet in appearance, especially during business trips
- Light-weight and the most travel-friendly treatment choice
Conclusion
With the right preparation steps taken, you can happily travel with clear aligners. It is pretty much simple and the best treatment option for straightening your teeth. At the same time, you need to ensure that you properly follow the Invisalign tips mentioned here. With the right aligner care for travelling, you will maintain perfect discipline in terms of wear time and hygiene. The best part of wearing aligners is that you can enjoy your journey without hassles and ensure the treatment is always on the right track.
FAQs
- How often should I clean aligners while I am out?
Having meals and snacks can lead to the buildup of food particles and residue. Therefore, it would be ideal to always clean them before you reinsert them into the trays.
- Can the food particles inside the aligners become harmful to the teeth?
Yes, of course. It can lead to plaque buildup and tooth decay. This is why it is important to clean them and maintain proper oral hygiene.
- What are the most effective and easiest methods of cleaning your aligners when you are outside?
You can use both bottled water and floss to clean your aligners while you are on the go. Both methods are effective and discreet.
- What am I supposed to do when I lose an aligner while travelling?
You must right away inform your orthodontist and follow the instructions regarding how to continue with the treatment.
- Is it ok to switch aligners while travelling?
Yes, it is. However, it is highly recommended that you stick with your routine switching schedule.