Invisalign is a revolutionary dental product that can help people fix teeth alignment issues and other similar dental problems. But like every other dental treatment, there are do’s and don’ts for Invisalign to follow in order to ensure its effectiveness. Although Invisalign can help change the structure of your teeth and achieve the beautiful smile you have always wanted, you have to use it properly to achieve desired results.
Unlike metal braces, clear aligners are not permanently fixed to your mouth. You can remove and replace it on your own. This means the success of your treatment is highly dependent on you. The following are some of the Invisalign do’s and don’ts you must keep in mind to get the desired results for your Invisalign treatment.
Do’s of Invisalign
Do Wear Your Invisalign for at Least 22 Hours Daily
Part of the appeal of getting Invisalign aligners is the fact that you can remove them at any time. However, this does not mean you should remove it at any opportunity you get. In fact, if Invisalign aligners will work effectively to correct the crookedness or misalignment of your teeth, then you have to keep it on for at least 22 hours per day. You can take them out when you need to eat, drink or brush your teeth. But at other times of the day, it has to be on.
Do Clean Your Clear Aligners Regular
Your Invisalign braces will accumulate plaque and bacteria if you wear them every day without cleaning. So not only should you clean your teeth regularly, but you also have to care for the aligners you wear on them. Fortunately, cleaning your aligner is easy. You simply need to brush it gently with a soft toothbrush then rinse afterward with lukewarm water. You may also use special cleaning products made specifically for aligners. But this is not compulsory. You should clean the aligners this way at least twice daily (preferably in the morning and at night).
Do Brush Your Teeth After Eating
Each time you eat, pieces of food and liquid will get stuck on your teeth and gum. Since you’re expected to replace your clear aligners after your meal, brushing your teeth after each meal and before putting it on is recommended. Failure to do this means the food debris will get trapped on your teeth underneath the aligners. This can lead to tooth decay and other dental issues. Even if you cannot brush your teeth (because you’re out or due to any other reason), you should at least rinse your mouth thoroughly with water before putting your aligners back on.
Do Soak Your Aligner Trays Daily
Invisalign makes special cleaning crystals that you can use to soak your braces. You can also use denture cleaners to soak the trays. This helps to get rid of dirt and keeps the trays smelling nice. If any of these isn’t available, you can also soak the trays in a half water/vinegar solution. You should soak it for about 30 minutes per day then rinse it before putting it back into your mouth. You can also clean with a toothbrush to further remove any food particles of plaque left on the tray.
Do Keep Your Aligners in The Invisalign Case
Not only does this keep the aligners from getting dirty, but keeping the aligners in the case also keeps them from getting lost. Also, keeping the tray lying around increases the possibility of it getting damaged somehow. They’re transparent which means they can easily get lost if they’re not handled properly. Remember that they’re custom-made for your teeth. Losing a tray would mean returning to the dentist to get new ones entirely. You’ll have to spend extra cash that you shouldn’t be spending just to get new ones.
Don’ts of Invisalign
Don’t leave the aligners in the open air
When you’re not wearing your aligners, you should never leave them exposed to the open air. There are germs all around and exposing your trays to the open air would allow a buildup of bacteria on your trays. However, if you accidentally leave the trays out in the air for a while, make sure you rinse the trays before putting them back into your mouth. You can also soak with a cleanser and rinse.
Don’t forget to take your aligners off before eating or drinking
The fact that there’s no restriction to what you can eat is one of the biggest benefits of O getting clear aligners. Still, this does not mean you can eat or drink anything with the aligners on. Food particles can easily get trapped under your aligners. Invisalign trays are strong, but they cannot withstand the pressure of chewing food. Also, drinks can discolor or stain the aligners. They will start to look pale over time if you use them this way.
Don’t expose your aligners to heat
Avoid leaving your aligners in a hot place when you take them off. Similarly, don’t rinse the tray in hot water or drink any hot beverage when you have the tray on. Exposure to high temperatures this way can cause the tray to become warped. This will affect how well the tray fits into your mouth and affect the results of your treatment negatively. You may see recommendations online that say to rinse the aligner with hot water. This is wrong. At best, only use lukewarm water to rinse the tray.
Don’t use toothpaste, bleach, or any harsh cleaner on your aligners
To wash or clean your trays, only use recommended crystal soaks or any other mild mixture. Toothpaste can scratch your aligners. Similarly, harsh soaps and chemical bleach should not be used to rinse your trays. Colored cleaning products can discolor the trays and affect their appearance. These should be avoided.
Don’t Change Your Invisalign Trays Too Early
A typical Invisalign treatment typically involves using a set of trays with each tray moving your teeth slightly until the treatment is completed. While you can switch the trays on your own, your orthodontists will typically tell you when to switch the trays as you progress through your treatment. Make sure you wait till the recommended time before moving to the next tray in the set. Your treatment is carefully planned from the onset and deviating from it can affect the results that you’ll achieve.
Don’t Smoke
One of the habits you’ll have to let go off when you get clear aligners is smoking. Smoking can discolor your aligners and have unpleasant effects when you wear aligners. Although in theory, you may remove your aligners when you want to smoke, this is not recommended too.
When you visit our dental office to consult with our orthodontists about your Invisalign treatment, they’ll give you more recommendations that can help achieve the best results for your Invisalign treatment. You can also ask them specific questions you might have about Invisalign braces and how to care for them. Call now to schedule a consultation or visit Sbenati Dentistry in London Ontario.
Sources
https://valleycreekdentalcare.com/blog/2021/3/5/dos-and-donts-of-wearing-invisalign-braces
https://weissandtorortho.com/invisalign-dos-and-donts-you-need-to-know/
