When you’re somewhere unfamiliar and deviating from your routine, it’s easy to lose an aligner at a hotel, restaurant, or in transit. Here are some tips from Dr. Bob Vaught and Dr. Kate Vaught at Vaught 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 long periods of time, always take your previous set, current set, and your next set of aligners with you. If your aligners get lost, you will either go back to the previous set or move forward to the next set will be determined by how long you have been wearing your current set. The general rule is if the current aligners are tight, use your previous set. If you can remove them easily or are in your second week of wear move forward to the next set.
If you’ll be away for two weeks or more, replacement aligners can be shipped directly to you. Continue wearing your previous set until they arrive and start again with the new set.
Invisalign During Travel
While you’re on your way to your vacation destination, be aware and prepared. It’s best to keep aligners on you, in carry-on luggage and out of checked bags which can get lost and delayed. While in transit, be prepared. If you’re concerned about losing aligners, an extra case is always a good idea. And then, if you leave one behind in a hotel or restaurant, you’ll have a spare.
Health Away from Home
When you aren’t in your open bathroom and bedroom, maintaining your oral health can be tricky. But it’s important to make sure that you’re still brushing and flossing while away from home. And even though it’s a bit cumbersome, try to keep up your after-meal brushing. When you’re away from home it’s important to maintain good oral health, even though you might not have all the resources you’re used to. Taking two minutes out of your vacation could save you a dental visit in the future!
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.