Invisalign needs to be worn for 20 to 22 hours a day. The longer the trays are in your mouth, the more effective the treatment is – and that includes on Halloween. You can manage your Invisalign, keep your trays free from damage, and enjoy all the treats and tricks that October 31 brings by following these tips.

Time Your Candy-Eating

One of the top rules of Invisalign every day of the year is that you must remove your aligners before any meals and snacks. This rule is especially critical at Halloween, when candy is everywhere and you are tempted at every turn by sweets. It may seem like popping a piece of hard candy in your mouth or enjoying a lollipop for a while is no big deal when Invisalign is in place, but this kind of activity could lead to cracked, stained, smelly, or damaged trays. You don’t want to derail your treatment just because you couldn’t stop yourself from indulging.

Dig In All at One Time

One of the best ways to get your fill of Halloween candy while undergoing Invisalign treatment is to set a time, sit down with your favorites, and get to unwrapping. Eat up all the sweets you love most while your trays are not in your mouth, then when your stomach hurts, get up and clean your teeth thoroughly with a good brushing and flossing before putting the trays back in. Another way to enjoy sweets is to have them right after a meal. All the saliva that’s in your mouth after eating will help ward off bacteria and sugar and you’ll satisfy your sweet tooth without risking Invisalign.

Stay Positive

You might be tempted to groan and grumble about how orthodontics limit you on Halloween, but it’s important to look on the bright side. The perks of Invisalign beat a lot of the limitations that wearers of metal dental braces must endure. For example:

• Someone with Invisalign can eat whatever candy they like, as long as the aligners are out and teeth are cleaned afterward.
• Braces wearers never have the opportunity to remove their hardware and enjoy a braces-free hour.
• When you have metal braces you can’t eat any chewy or gummy candy without potentially damaging the brackets and wires.
• Invisalign doesn’t interfere with costumes, selfies, parties, or any special events on Halloween.

Watch Your Beverages

Drinks always seem innocuous, especially clear, carbonated beverages. The reality, though, is that every drink besides water has the potential to damage your clear aligners and make them very noticeable. Even if you’re sipping something through a straw, having dark drinks or adult beverages with Invisalign in place is not going to turn out well. Trays can become discolored, smelly, and gross. Choose a costume with a pocket for your Invisalign case so you can safely stash your trays while you sip away on Halloween. Just don’t wait too long to put those aligners back in and, if possible, brush your teeth before you do.

Have a Happy Halloween

If you have any questions about the dos and don’ts of wearing Invisalign on Halloween, contact Drs. Roberts & de Marsche at Lawrenceville Orthodontics in Lawrenceville, NJ.