Traveling gives you amazing experiences but are always associated with a completely disrupted routine. If you have decided to undergo orthodontic treatment and need to wear aligners, it is important to be prepared for any possible problems to continue your therapy without missing an appointment.
When wearing clear aligners for gap teeth or to get rid of minor crowding, consistent use of the device is crucial for getting the perfect smile. At Samuel Dental Care, patients are advised to travel while following certain tips that protect their orthodontic investment.
Have an Aligners Travel Kit
Oral hygiene while on the go requires one to ensure that the necessary items to help keep the mouth clean are accessible in one’s day bag. This is due to the fact that being on the move entails having to eat at odd times, and snacks on long flights. It becomes easier to forget to maintain one’s routine.
Having a personal and easy-to-pack oral hygiene pouch will make it unnecessary to look for the basic oral care necessities in an airport or train terminal that may be busy. The pouch will include a travel-size toothbrush, fluoride toothpaste, dental floss, and your aligner case.
By carrying the items in one’s carry-on luggage, one becomes prepared in case their checked luggage is delayed or misplaced during their travels. Pre-pasted travel toothbrushes or travel mouthwashes can also serve as a temporary measure when one does not have access to a bathroom sink.
Stick to the Twenty-Two Hours Per Day Requirement
The efficacy of your treatment is contingent upon consistent physical pressure being put on your teeth both during the day and at night. Removing your trays for an excessive amount of time while sightseeing or having dinner can lead to your teeth moving back to where they once were.
For even the most specific treatments such as clear aligners for gap teeth, not wearing your trays will slow down your progress and can cause discomfort in putting your trays back in place. Setting up a silent timer on your phone each time you remove your trays for food or meals is highly recommended.
Never Wrap Your Trays with Napkins or Tissues
Among the many reasons why patients can end up losing their trays when on the move is covering them with a napkin while sitting at a restaurant table. Inevitably, the waiters who clear the tables will toss the napkin covered trays into the trash without even realizing it.
Ending up losing your trays in the middle of your trip will only cause additional stress and can lead to problems during your entire treatment process. Instead, always train yourself to place your trays immediately into the protective case as soon as you remove them from your mouth.
Keep Your Previous and Next Trays in Your Baggage
No matter what, always bring your immediate previous set of trays, along with your next set, when traveling. However, should you lose your current set for whatever reason while on your travels, moving back to your previous set is something that can definitely help you avoid any form of regression in your orthodontic treatment while waiting to obtain a new set from your orthodontist.
Moreover, your access to your next set means that you will be able to stick to your schedule in case you are forced to extend your stay because of travel delays or business-related problems. Packing all those extra trays with you in your hand luggage ensures that there will not be any surprises for you while you are on your travels.
Drink Lots of Water to Help With Dry Mouth
Since flying in an airplane and climate changes can lead to dehydration and the sensation of dryness in your mouth, the use of the plastic trays can become uncomfortable for you. Why is saliva important for natural protection? It cleanses the mouth of the food particles and neutralizes the acids in the mouth.
It is necessary to drink much water in order to have a moist mouth and prevent the problems associated with the suction effect of the tray and supply the mouth with sufficient amount of saliva without any possibility of coloring the tray. It is not advisable to drink sweet, hot, and acid drinks when you wear aligners.
See Also: Automated Medical Answering Services Make 24/7 Patient Access More Practical for Busy Practices
Be Ready for Orthodontic Emergencies
Although orthodontic emergencies rarely occur when receiving treatment, being ready makes you feel completely confident traveling away from home. Before setting off for your trip, add your dentist’s direct contact details to your phone in case you need to get advice from the specialist if your tray breaks or is very loose.
If you have chosen clear aligners for gap teeth treatment, constant use ensures that gaps won’t appear unexpectedly due to a treatment pause. In the event of your tray breaking or getting lost while traveling, make sure to inform your dental office right away, not after coming back home, so that they can tell you what to do next.
Place Emphasis on Good Cleaning and Storing Habits
The vacation setting might entice you to wash your trays in hot water or place them loosely on the vanity table of your hotel room where there are many bacteria floating around. The plastic aligners could be deformed by using hot water because it would make the customized tray lose its effectiveness in moving your teeth as planned.
Make sure you always wash your aligners using lukewarm or cold water, and then store them in their hard case as much as possible while they are not being used. The simple task of brushing your aligners using a soft brush every night will keep them clear and odorless during your journey.
Conclusion
Just because you are travelling doesn’t mean that you should stop working toward your ideal, perfect smile. All you need is a travel kit of your hygiene tools, maintaining your prescribed wearing time, and storing your trays appropriately, and you will be able to travel with ease while also achieving good orthodontic results regardless if you use clear aligners for your gaps or your broader bite.
