According to the American Psychological Association, a whopping 41% of Americans said that their stress increases between November and January. Between travel plans, hosting, shopping, and everything else that comes with the holidays, it’s not hard to see why! That’s why we’ve dedicated this post to covering helpful tips on navigating the holiday season with Nu Smile Aligners.
1. Don’t Forget to Bring a Case for Your Aligners
Whether you’re flying across the country or heading 20 minutes up the road for the holidays, don’t forget to bring a case for your Nu Smile Aligners. Otherwise, you’ll resort to wrapping them in a napkin or leaving them out on the counter, dramatically increasing the chances of them getting thrown away or lost.
Bonus tip: Store the case in the same place every day, like the small pocket in your purse, to avoid misplacing your trays during the holiday season.
2. Brush and Floss When You’re Done Eating
During the holidays, it can be tempting to sit around the table catching up with loved ones following a great meal. While you should definitely soak up time with friends and family, you also need to brush and floss after you’re done eating so you can put your clear aligners back in. We recommend bringing some travel-sized dental care essentials with you to make this task easy.
3. Commit to Wearing Your Aligners for 20+ Hours a Day
Even amid the hustle and bustle of traveling out of town, shopping for loved ones, and getting all of your work done before the break, you need to wear your Nu Smile Aligners for 20+ hours a day. Otherwise, you run the risk of falling off-track with your treatment plan. Fortunately, your phone can help prevent that from happening. Just set a reminder to put your aligners back on!
4. Don’t Go Overboard on Added Sugar
Avoiding added sugar during the weeks filled with hot chocolate, pecan pie, candy canes, and other treats is nearly impossible. Don’t worry – you don’t have to completely eliminate it from your diet; you just need to avoid going overboard. Otherwise, tooth decay, gum disease, and the like can develop, bringing your teeth-straightening treatment to a temporary stop.
About the Doctor
Dr. Gizachew (a.k.a. “Dr. G.”) had a big goal after graduating from dental school: create clear braces that are as effective and discreet as they are affordable and comfortable. After years of hard work and determination, he created Nu Smile Aligner®, a reliable and cost-effective Invisalign alternative. Since his goal first and foremost is always to help patients, he’s here to answer any questions you have, even if it’s about something as “simple” as how to navigate the holidays with clear aligners. If you are interested in scheduling an appointment with him, then get in touch with him via his website or call one of his four conveniently located offices.