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Mom And Kids Mickey Ice Cream Bar
  • On Aug 5, 2023
    Theresa from MD Asked Please note that experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    I am a new wearer of orthodontic aligners, with a Walt Disney World Resort vacation coming up next month. Any advice on handling that when I'll probably be using public restrooms to clean them & intermittent snacking rather than sit down meals?

    Hi Theresa and welcome back to planDisney.

    Thank you for your question as it is the perfect merger of work and play for me. As the iconic Mary Blair children of "it's a small world" attraction sing, "and a smile means friendship to everyone." Let's get down to business and keep you on track to have that perfect smile to share in Disney PhotoPass photos with Mickey and the rest of the Fab Five year after year.

    I am so excited you are treating yourself to a bigger, brighter smile with aligners. I recommend my patients wear their orthodontic aligners around 22 hours a day in order to optimize tooth moments but it can be tough when Mickey and Minnie cook up so many delicious treats. Here are the recommendations I give my patients (and my own sons) to help them keep track of their aligners during their magical vacation.

    1. Aligners should only be in one of two places: in your case or in your face. Murphy's Law will occur the minute they are wrapped up in a napkin or left on a table, especially at theme park restaurants, food carts, and quick service locations.
    2. Bring disposable wipes and hand sanitizer for your hands and not the aligners.
    3. Touchless fixtures in the restrooms: most restroom sinks have automatic sensors if you need to wash your hands and rinse off your aligners. If this makes you uncomfortable then you can rinse them with bottled water.
    4. Leave them in the hotel room if using the hotel pool. There is nothing wrong with swimming while wearing them but if they come out or are knocked in the pool they will be difficult to find.
    5. Rinse your mouth out with water before placing your aligners back in to prevent food particles from being trapped by your aligner. This should prevent you from having to brush your aligners clean until you return to your hotel. Red, blue, orange, and pink-colored drinks and desserts will stain your aligners so take them out and rinse your mouth with water after consuming.
    6. Relax - you will get plenty of wear during your magical adventure. If you find that you are leaving them out for a majority of the day then add some additional days before you change to the next set. Aligners can be changed from 3-21 days. My patients change every seven days and extend to ten days when traveling. Your orthodontist will advise you, just ask.
    7. If you lose a set of aligners reach out to your orthodontist to see what they want you to do. I have my patients bring additional sets with them and if they lose one, I advise them to skip to the next one in the series.
    Theresa, you will do great while at Walt Disney World Resort and the next time you visit you will have to join me in convincing Dale and Goofy to get orthodontic aligners to close the gap between their front teeth. I am here to help. Please feel free to write me back directly with any follow-up questions.

    Keep smiling and enjoy making many Magical Memories.

    ~Jason
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Meet the Panelist: Jason, Georgia

I am a father and orthodontist who loves the hidden treasures found on Disney vacations. For over a decade, my wife and I have raised our two sons on Disney Cruise Line, Adventures By Disney, and Disney Theme Parks on both coasts. From large group and multigeneration family vacations to adult trips and couples getaways, I am excited to share my years of pixie-dust-covered experiences with you while planning your Disney vacation. Let the lifelong magical memories ... begin! Learn More About Jason

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