Halloween is a terrifying celebration of everything spooky, absurd, and bizarre, but dentists and orthodontists have a few concerns about some of its traditions. In particular, the excessive volumes of candy handed out during the month of October can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, and costly setbacks in a person’s orthodontic treatment. Here are a few tips for keeping on top of your SureSmile treatment when celebrating Halloween.
Remember Your 22-Hour Wear Time Requirement
SureSmile patients must wear their clear aligners for 20 to 22 hours each day to keep their orthodontic treatments on track. As soon as the clear aligners are removed, the teeth will begin to shift back toward their former positions, so leaving your appliances off for too long can lead to delays in your treatment. Ideally, you will only remove your aligners for oral hygiene sessions, eating, and drinking anything except water.
Since patients are also required to thoroughly brush and floss before reinserting their aligners and it’s best to wait at least thirty minutes between eating and brushing so the enamel has time to recover, you aren’t left with a lot of time to casually enjoy candy between meals. It’s a great idea to limit your candy consumption to meals so you can minimize the number of times you remove your aligners.
Practice Excellent Oral Hygiene
SureSmile clear aligners are designed to fit snugly over the teeth so they can exert the constant pressure necessary to gradually shift them into better positions. However, this tight fit means that any food debris or plaque trapped between the teeth and an aligner will be protected from the mouth’s natural cleaning process, which can lead to tooth decay and unsightly dental stains. When you consider the massive sugar content of the average piece of Halloween candy, this problem becomes even more destructive.
To keep your teeth healthy and beautiful during SureSmile treatment, brush and floss thoroughly before reinserting your aligners. This will ensure that your teeth stay clean while you wear your appliances so that you can avoid needing to delay your treatment so your tooth decay can be addressed.
Don’t let your SureSmile treatment fall by the wayside this Halloween season. By keeping these tips in mind, you can keep your treatment going smoothly while scaring up some spooky fun.
About the Practice
Sound Dentistry offers outstanding oral healthcare services to the community of New Bedford. Led by Drs. Moftah El-Ghadi, John Covostes, and Anna Kitsos, the staff ensures that each patient enjoys exemplary courtesy and excellent customer service. Areas of expertise include general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as SureSmile services. To learn more about complying with your SureSmile treatment while celebrating Halloween, contact the office online or dial (508) 996-6777.