People who go for Invisalign often do so because of the numerous benefits it offers. This includes being more discreet, more convenient, and comfortable to wear. But while Invisalign is effective, you’ll only get the best from using clear aligners if you use it correctly. In fact, when you use Invisalign, the effectiveness of the treatment is highly dependent on how correctly you use it. Unlike braces that are fixed and permanent throughout the duration of your treatment, you can remove Invisalign and replace it anytime you want to. To guarantee the best result in your treatment, here are 10 common Invisalign mistakes that people make that you should avoid.
Not wearing it enough
One of the top benefits of Invisalign is the convenience it offers. You can remove the aligner and put it back in on your own. However, this is arguably the biggest drawback of this treatment approach as well. Having the luxury to remove your aligners whenever you want doesn’t mean you have to do it always. In fact, taking too many breaks will make the treatment ineffective or prolong it unnecessarily. Experts recommend keeping your aligners on for 20 to 22 hours daily. Failure to wear the braces diligently this way will slow down the progress of your treatment.
Forgetting to remove the aligners before a meal
We’ve talked about the need to have your aligners on as much as possible. Still, there are times that you have to take them off for your own good. One of such times is when you’re about to eat or drink anything.
If you eat with your aligners on, food particles may get stuck under the aligners. This may result in the growth of bacteria on your teeth leading to tooth decay in the long run. Some foods and drinks can also stain the aligner tray, changing its color. Before each meal, you should remove your aligners and brush your teeth afterward before returning the tray to your mouth. .
Not protecting your aligners enough
The aligner trays typically come with a protective case to store them. That shows just how delicate they’re and how they should be handled. While they’re made of tough plastic material, they can still get damaged if you mishandle them. If the aligner is not in your mouth, you should carry it in its case. Leaving the aligners lying around, jamming them in your backpack, or throwing them on the floor can lead to damage.
Leaving the tray out in the open
While you have to remove the aligners from your mouth occasionally, you should not leave them out in the open for too long. There are germs and dirt all around and they can easily settle on your aligner trays if you leave them out in the open. Leaving the aligner trays out also increases the chances of losing them by accident. The trays are translucent, which means you can accidentally get them mixed up with other stuff or even trample on them by accident. The best place to put the trays anytime you remove them is in the carry case where it belongs.
Not cleaning your aligners properly
The last thing you want is to put dirty aligners in your mouth. This can lead to various dental issues. Your mouth has some bacteria in it naturally and prolonged contact with your aligners means the germs will get onto it too. This is why you have to clean your aligners regularly. This will help protect it from germs and also ensure that it maintains a fresh and pleasant smell. Regular cleaning also prevents discoloration among other issues. Some of the recommended ways to clean your aligners include:
- Brushing gently with a non-abrasive toothpaste
- Soaking the aligners in a solution of white vinegar and water
- Soaking in baking soda and water
- Soak in antibacterial soap and water.
Not brushing your teeth
One of the perks of wearing aligners is that you can maintain your regular oral routine. Since you can remove the aligners, it means you can brush your teeth and floss as you would regularly do. Maintaining a healthy oral care routine is even more recommended now that you have aligners. In addition to brushing your teeth regularly, you also need to brush (or at least rinse your mouth) before putting the aligner tray back in your mouth after eating. This helps to get rid of any food particles so it doesn’t get trapped under the aligners.
Cleaning the aligner tray with abrasive toothpaste or colored mouthwash
While cleaning your aligners is important, you should avoid using cleaning products that can damage the Invisalign trays. Aligner trays are made from materials that are more delicate than your teeth. This means a toothpaste that is safe to use for your mouth may not be recommended for your aligners. Toothpaste with abrasive properties can leave visible scratch marks on the aligner trays. Similarly, colored mouthwash will stain the aligners permanently and that means it’ll lose its invisibility. Other things to avoid include hot water, dishwasher solution, bleach, and other harsh chemicals.
Smoking while using aligners
If you smoke regularly, clear aligners might not work for you. In addition to the possibility of getting the aligners stained and noticeable, smoking also increases the risk of gum diseases. Getting gum disease while you’re undergoing Invisalign treatment will make the aligners painful and uncomfortable for you to wear
Expecting results too soon
Invisalign is an advanced orthodontist device that can be used to fix a wide range of teeth issues. However, it is not a quick fix. In many cases, work relatively faster than traditional braces. You might start to see results within a few weeks. But it’ll still take a while before your treatment will be completed. How long the entire treatment will take depends on your specific situation and how well you follow the dentist’s recommendation. Your treatment can still take more than a year and you have to follow through to see desired results
Ignoring dentist’s advice
Invisalign treatment is a systematic treatment that requires strict adherence to the dentist’s instructions. At the start of the treatment, you will be given a set of aligner trays and you’re meant to wear each one for a specific period. The Invisalign doctor will tell you how long you need to wear each tray and when it’s time to switch to the next one based on the progress of your treatment. You have to adhere to these instructions to the latter if you will get desired results. After your treatment, you will most likely get additional instructions to maintain results. You should follow these as well to enjoy the full benefits of your treatment.
When you visit our dental office to get Invisalign braces, the orthodontist will work you through the treatment and tell you more about the dos and don’ts you have to adhere to to get the results you want. To learn more about Invisalign braces and how it works, call or visit us at Sbenati Dentistry in London Ontario.
Sources
