Misaligned teeth are more than an aesthetic concern: they can affect how your mouth works, putting your oral health, digestive system, and peace of mind at risk. To prevent that, dentists recommend orthodontic treatments, and if you’re not a fan of braces, Winter Park, FL, Invisalign®.
Clear aligners, or Invisalign, exert pressure on your teeth, slowly shifting them to a better and healthier position. However, aligner treatments also have some requirements, and following them is crucial to ensure the success of your journey!
Dos with Invisalign
1. Do Soak Your Aligners at Least Once a Day
Soak your Invisalign aligners at least once daily to maintain their clear appearance and clean scent. You can use Invisalign's crystal cleaning or denture cleaners. After that, use a different toothbrush than the one you use for your teeth (ideally a soft-bristled one) and brush all food particles and plaque away.
2. Do Brush and Floss Your Teeth Before Wearing Invisalign
Don't put your aligners back in your mouth until your teeth are clean. This promotes the best possible oral hygiene. If you don't, food particles may get stuck inside the Invisalign and against your natural teeth, fostering cavities and gum disease.
3. Do Consider Snacks Carefully
Invisalign’s effectiveness depends on whether you can wear it for 20-22 hours daily. Moreover, you must take them out to eat and drink anything other than water. So, if you like to snack, it’s important to plan them appropriately so you have time to remove the aligners and clean your teeth afterwards.
4. Do Stop Taking in Too Much Caffeine
Drinking coffee with Invisalign can stain both your aligners and teeth and increase the chances of tooth decay. So, if you habitually sip one cup after another, you may need to give it up.
Don’ts with Invisalign
1. Don’t Leave the Trays Out
If you leave your clear aligners in the open air, you risk exposing them to airborne pathogens and building up bacteria. Additionally, you’re more likely to damage them or lose them if you don’t put them in their case.
Therefore, you must always have your aligner case, no matter where you are. If you leave your Invisalign out for a few hours, you should soak and rinse it first.
2. Don’t Forget to Plan Your Trips
Invisalign trays need to be switched every few weeks, so if you’re planning a trip, have some foresight and bring your next set of trays with you, if needed. That way, there’ll be no interruptions that may delay or even reverse your journey.
Having the new ones shipped to your current address is another effective alternative.
3. Don’t Clean Your Invisalign Using Colored or Scented Soaps
Avoid using substances with strong colors and scents to clean your Invisalign. Be it soaps or toothpastes, these products will leave some residue on your trays, resulting in discoloration in the long run.
Moreover, they can leave an unpleasant taste on your aligners, so avoid them altogether and opt for a suitable Invisalign cleaning.
4. Don’t Smoke
Invisalign trays need to be worn for 20 to 22 hours, leaving only time to eat and drink.
For that reason, if you have a habit of smoking, this could be the perfect opportunity to try to quit.
Straighten Your Smile with Winter Park, FL, Invisalign
Besides being more prone to cavities, malocclusion makes it harder for you to eat, speak, and smile with confidence. For a long time, patients resigned themselves to dealing with these issues due to their fear or distrust towards traditional braces, but nowadays, Invisalign offers an ideal alternative.
The clear trays are removable, meaning you can easily enjoy all your favorite foods. Additionally, its plastic is nearly unnoticeable, allowing people concerned about their looks to achieve a straighter smile discreetly. If you’d like to learn more about this treatment, contact Winter Park Dental for more information!
*Invisalign®, the Invisalign logo, and iTero®, among others, are trademarks and/ or service marks of Align Technology, Inc. or one of its subsidiaries or affiliated companies and may be registered in the U.S. and/or other countries.