With Halloween just around the corner, you might be wondering how your Invisalign aligners will affect your fun. On the one hand, if you’ve been taking good care of them, the clear plastic won’t interfere with your costume aesthetic. On the other hand, there’s the whole “eating candy” part of this tradition.
Fortunately, there are ways you can enjoy Halloween without compromising your Invisalign treatment progress. Before you consider leaving your aligners in their case during Trick or Treat, read these tips!
Avoid Candy Grazing
Technically, you can eat whatever candy you want with Invisalign. However, you would have to remove and rinse your aligners each time you stopped to graze on a chocolate bar, which can quickly become tedious. Instead of enjoying your little treats periodically throughout the day, save them for a meal-time dessert. That way you won’t constantly have to be taking out and cleaning your aligners!
Plan Carefully for Parties
Now, if you’re an adult with Invisalign, you might be more worried about, let’s say more mature indulgences. It’s important to wear your aligners for 22 hours every day so you don’t delay your progress, which means you’ll have to schedule your wear-time hours very carefully to make room for sipping cocktails.
Another good point to keep in mind is that colored liquids could stain your teeth and aligners. Be sure to rinse your mouth before re-inserting your Invisalign trays!
Remember That You’re Wearing Invisalign
It might seem obvious, but let’s face it – when good times are rolling it’s easy to get caught up in the moment. If Halloween fun makes you forget to think about your aligners, you could accidentally chomp down on a sugary snack while they’re still on your teeth. Invisalign trays aren’t exactly fragile, but your bite force is definitely strong enough to crack the plastic. It might be a good idea to have a friend or two help you remember your aligners.
Keep Your Eye on The Prize
Overall, celebrating Halloween while undergoing an Invisalign treatment isn’t too bad. The orthodontics won’t look strange with your costume, you won’t have to feel self-conscious, and your options for candy aren’t restricted.
You might feel inconvenienced at times, and you might find yourself wishing that you could have your fun the way you usually do – but Halloween is just one day. A straight, beautiful smile will last you a lifetime. Keep your eye on the prize, and when all is said and done, you’ll be able to appreciate your evened-out teeth and enjoy your next Halloween even more!
About the Dentist
Dr. Tavi Henry earned his dental degree from the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine and is a certified Invisalign provider. He knows balancing your orthodontic treatment and Halloween fun can be challenging, but he’s here to provide handy tips and tricks so you can enjoy yourself without prolonging your treatment! If you have questions or would like to schedule an appointment before the festivities begin, contact Dr. Henry’s office at 303-984-1400.