Traveling is always exciting, whether it’s a family vacation, a school trip, or visiting relatives. But if your teen is wearing Invisalign, travel can also bring some challenges. New schedules, busy days, and a “grab-and-go” approach to meals can make it easy to forget aligners or fall out of routine. But there’s no need to stress. With a little planning and a couple of smart strategies, your teen can stay on track and enjoy their trip at the same time.
Help Them Stick to Wear Times
Teens should wear Invisalign aligners 20–22 hours a day, even while traveling. Vacations often mean more snacking, late nights, or irregular meals. Instead of leaning into this, encourage your teen to stick to their schedule. A great way to do this is by setting up alarms and reminders ahead of time. The big caveat is that you’ll need to follow the schedule yourself to help them succeed.
Check Napkins Before Leaving Restaurants
One of the most common Invisalign mistakes happens at restaurants, and it’s rarely intentional. Teens will remove their aligners, wrap them in a napkin, and accidentally throw them away. So, while they may have their aligner case with them, it’s best to check any napkins on the table before you leave.
Create an Invisalign “To-Go” Kit
Before leaving home, help your teen pack a small bag of Invisalign essentials. This should include their aligner case, a small toothbrush, toothpaste, cleaning crystals, aligner-safe cleaner, and floss. The idea is that no matter where they find themselves, they’ll have what they need to maintain their aligners and stay on schedule.
Bring Backup Aligners
Give your child’s pediatric dentist a call before you head out and see where they are in their aligner schedule. If they’re close to switching trays, the dentist may recommend bringing their next set along—just in case. Things happen, and aligners can get lost easily, so having a backup is more than a good idea while away from home.
Invisalign is designed to fit into busy teen lifestyles, including travel. With good habits (and a little help from a dedicated parent), they can stay on track and keep their smile moving in the right direction. If you have questions before a trip, your pediatric dental team is always happy to help!
About the Practice
G&G Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics takes pride in the welcoming environment we create for our young patients. With a focus on education and modern orthodontic solutions like Invisalign, our team makes treatment easy to manage, even while traveling, so young patients can stay on track wherever life takes them. Call (630) 778-9500 to schedule an Invisalign consultation for your teen or visit our website to see a full menu of services.
