For many people, it’s become something of a tradition to schedule checkups and dental cleanings in January. While there are several reasons why this may be the case, one of the more popular theories is that the holiday season is just the absolute worst time of year for oral health, which makes people want to undo the damage when the new year begins. As it turns out, there are a variety of reasons why that may be the case. If you’re curious, here are three ways that the holidays can be hard on your teeth.

When you first started your Invisalign treatment, your dentist set out a plan for you to reach your perfect smile. This plan is called a “track,” and it forms the blueprint for every aligner you’ll receive from that point.

That said, nearly a year can pass after your initial consultation. In that time, a lot can change. One day, you may show up to a regular check-up and find that your teeth aren’t where they should be, or are “off track.” While this can be discouraging, it’s also fairly common. People can fall off track with their Invisalign treatment for a variety of reasons. Here are some of the most common things that can make your teeth move more slowly than you’d like.