Summer break = more sunshine, more fun… and more time to focus on your smile.
Whether you’re kicking off treatment or halfway through your journey, now’s the perfect time to build strong habits that can actually speed things up. If you’re wondering how to make clear aligners (like Invisalign®) work faster — or how to get braces off fast — it all starts with your daily routine and good summer dental hygiene.
Here’s how to take advantage of the season and fast-track your results, from your friends at First Impression Orthodontics:
1. Don’t forget: Wear time is everything with clear aligners!
Wearing your aligners 22 hours a day is non-negotiable if you want to stay on track — or even finish early. And with fewer distractions from school and after-school routines, summer is the perfect time to build strong wear-time habits.
Here’s how to make it easier:
- Only remove your aligners when eating or drinking (besides water)
- Keep your clear aligner case with you at all times (Consider getting a spare case if you’re on-the-go a lot!)
- Set phone reminders if you tend to forget to put them back in
- Track your wear time
Fun tip: If your aligners are starting to feel a little looser than when you first put them in, that’s progress! But don’t skip to the next set of trays unless we’ve told you to. Stick to your aligner schedule so we don’t risk delays or complications.
Staying consistent is the #1 way to fast track Invisalign/Angel Aligner™ treatment.
2. Keep your smile (and aligners) clean
A clean mouth & good summer dental care = a healthy, fast-moving smile. That goes for both braces and clear aligners!
For clear aligner patients:
- Brush your teeth and aligners every day
- Rinse aligners often
- Soak them regularly to prevent clear aligner stains
- Avoid leaving them out or in hot places (like a car!)
For braces patients:
- Brush carefully after every meal
- Floss daily
- Use a proxy brush or water flosser to reach around brackets
- Good hygiene is how you speed up the braces process and make sure nothing stands in the way of your progress.
3. Keep your braces care kit with you
A summer braces care kit or on-the-go pouch makes it easier to stay consistent with your routine, even during vacations, sleepovers, or pool days.
What to pack:
- Travel toothbrush & toothpaste
- Floss or floss picks
- Clear aligners case or orthodontic wax
- Small mirror
- Extra aligners or elastics (if needed)
Keeping your smile as clean as possible is the best way to speed up Invisalign/Angel Aligner clear aligners or braces treatment. So if you’re someone who loves to snack, keeping a care kit on hand is key to a fresh smile!
4. Snack smart to avoid setbacks
With braces, certain summer snacks can spell trouble. Sticky, chewy, or crunchy foods can break brackets or bend wires, leading to additional appointments to fix your braces and potential treatment delays.
With clear aligners, the rules are simpler — just remove your aligners to eat and brush before putting them back in. But sugary drinks and poor brushing can still affect your progress, so keep it clean!
- Smile-friendly snacks: smoothies, yogurt, cheese, watermelon
- Skip with braces: popcorn, taffy, hard chips
- Clear aligner tip: Only drink water with aligners in (and keep them away from heat!)
5. Stay motivated — and make it fun!
Tracking your progress is a great way to stay inspired during treatment, especially during summer when routines are more relaxed.
Try snapping weekly photos of your smile and turning them into a TikTok, Reel, or time-lapse video. Watching your smile transform over time can be the boost you need to stick with your clear aligner wear time or stay consistent with your braces care.
Plus, it makes for some seriously fun content! If you post your progress on Instagram, don’t forget to tag @firstimpressionorthodontics — we love seeing your smile journeys and cheering you on.
Bonus: you’ll have an amazing before-and-after to look back on once you finish treatment. (Check out some of our beautiful before-and-after braces & clear aligners transformations on our site!)
6. Keep your appointments & call us if anything feels off
Staying on schedule with your appointments at our Alexandria orthodontic office is key to staying on track. At each of your appointments, we’ll check your progress, make updates if needed, and ensure that everything is moving as it should.
That goes for your dental cleanings too! Seeing your dentist regularly for professional cleanings ensures the spots you can’t clean at home stay fresh and healthy.
Notice something off with your treatment? Don’t wait, reach out to our Alexandria orthodontic team at 703-822-0010 — via text or call. We’re here to help you stay on course this summer, and beyond.
This summer, stay on track and smile on!
At First Impression Orthodontics, we believe experiencing your best smile and becoming your best self begins with consistent care. Whether you’re using clear aligners or braces, good summer dental hygiene can make all the difference in your timeline.
- Wear your aligners as directed
- Keep your teeth and aligners or braces clean
- Eat smart and avoid setbacks that are in your control
- Make it fun with photos or progress tracking
- Stay in touch with us!
Want to start your transformation this summer? Now’s the perfect time to get started. Book a complimentary consultation with Dr. Lu, our experienced orthodontist in Alexandria, VA.
