Traveling can be a busy time, whether you’re heading to the beach, flying out for work, or exploring a new city. But if you’re going through orthodontic treatment, it’s important to keep your Invisalign routine top of mind. Staying on track with your aligners helps protect your progress and avoids unnecessary delays. If you’re based in Cranberry Township and planning a trip, here’s how to make sure traveling with Invisalign goes smoothly with Rhoads Orthodontics!
Why Invisalign Is Great for Travelers
Invisalign offers a level of flexibility that our patients really love. Because the aligners are removable and discreet, you can take them out for photos, meals, or airport security. But with that flexibility comes responsibility—you’ve got to stay committed to wearing them for 22 hours a day.
Here’s why traveling with Invisalign is easier than you might think:
- No wires or brackets: Nothing to worry about breaking mid-trip.
- Easy hygiene: Brushing and flossing stay simple, even on the go.
- Discreet design: Ideal for vacation photos or work travel where you want to look polished.
Even when the unexpected happens, you’ll be able to keep your treatment moving forward with a little preparation.
Helpful Tricks for Staying on Schedule
Dr. Rhoads will be able to partner with you ahead of travel to make sure you feel confident in your care plan. Here are some helpful strategies to make sure you don’t lose momentum:
- Pack a Travel Kit: Include your aligner case, travel-size toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, and cleaning crystals or tablets. This makes it easy to care for your aligners wherever you are.
- Set Phone Reminders: It’s easy to lose track of time when sightseeing or in meetings. Use alarms to remind you when it’s time to put your aligners back in.
- Use a Backup Set: Bring your current aligners and your previous set, just in case you lose or damage one.
- Keep Them in During Flights: You don’t need to remove your aligners for airport security or while flying. Keep them in unless you’re eating or drinking something other than water.
- Stay Hydrated with Water: Always take out your aligners before sipping anything other than water to avoid staining or warping.
These small habits go a long way in keeping your treatment on schedule while you enjoy your trip.
The Risks of Falling Behind
Missing wear time or skipping aligners for even a short stretch can do more harm than you might expect. Your Invisalign trays are crafted to apply a steady, controlled force that gently shifts your teeth over time. If you fall off schedule, the ill effects can stack up quickly:
- Setbacks in Progress: Your teeth may begin reverting to their original positions, making it harder to fit back into your current or future trays.
- Poor Fit: Aligners are made for precise stages of movement. Missing a few days might mean your next tray doesn’t fit correctly, potentially delaying the next phase of treatment.
- Extended Timeline: A little lost time here and there can add up to several weeks or months tacked onto your total treatment duration.
- Additional Costs: If you lose a tray while traveling or have to restart a phase, it could lead to extra costs for new trays or additional appointments.
Staying on track, even while traveling, is the easiest way to keep your treatment moving forward as planned with clear aligner treatment.
How We Help You Stay Ready
When you begin Invisalign at Rhoads Orthodontics, Dr. Rhoads and our team take the time to explain your treatment clearly so you aren’t confused at any point. Before you travel, a quick check-in with us can be a great way to:
- Make sure you’re on the right aligner set for the duration of your trip
- Get backup trays or travel tools
- Find answers about treatment during flights or overseas
Dr. Rhoads has successfully worked with numerous patients throughout Cranberry Township and beyond to make Invisalign travel-friendly and stress-free.
Prepare, Protect, and Prosper!
Your treatment should never prevent you from travelling as you want or need. The Invisalign system was designed to provide a completely different approach in care compared to braces, and it’s a welcome relief from tradition for many of our patients.
The more that you communicate with us at Rhoads Orthodontics, the better we can collaborate with you and give you the information you need! So please let us know if you ever have any questions at all. We’re here to support you.
Come see us soon in Cranberry Township for a free consultation!