Starting Invisalign can be exciting! You’ll get to straighten your teeth while enjoying greater convenience than with traditional braces. You don’t need to worry about any metal wires or brackets, and they are even removable. However, that doesn’t mean they don’t have certain guidelines you should follow. Here are some dos and don’ts of clear aligners to help keep your treatment on track.
1.) Do Get the Full Wear-Time
Since clear aligners can be taken out when you eat, it’s easy to forget to put them back in. Having them out too often can cause delays, so it’s important to set timers or reminders. By wearing them for at least 20 hours a day or longer, you can keep your teeth moving without prolonging your results.
2.) Don’t Eat or Drink While Wearing Your Trays
As was briefly mentioned above, it’s important to remove your aligners when you eat or drink (anything other than water). Doing so can damage your trays, which will call for the need for replacements. You’ll have to wait for them to come in, so you’ll linger on a set longer than planned. Additionally, beverages can get stuck between your teeth. This can cause a myriad of issues, such as staining and cavities.
3.) Do Clean Your Invisalign After Eating
You’ll need to brush your teeth after mealtime, but you should also clean out your aligners. This can help keep your smile healthy and avoid oral health issues. While you aren’t at home, this can seem hard to do. You can consider keeping a travel-sized toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss with you while you’re out and about.
4.) Don’t Do Harmful Things to Your Aligners
Invisalign trays are made from plastic, so that means you should avoid using hot water when you clean them! If not, then you risk warping them. This will change their fit, causing them to not be safe or effective for your shifting smile. Instead, stick to cold or lukewarm water. Additionally, if you don’t have a case handy, you might be tempted to wrap them in a napkin. You may accidentally throw them away if they aren’t in a designated case, so try to keep a spare nearby.
While Invisalign can be more convenient, it’s important to have these dos and don’ts in mind! Following them can help ensure your journey toward an aesthetic grin is smooth and gives you the results that you feel more confident in.
About the Practice
At Flenniken Family Dentistry, you benefit from a team of skilled dentists who look after you and your oral health. We want to help the Carlisle community get the healthier bite they deserve with clear aligners. By sticking with you every step of the way, you can enjoy a stress-free process that’s convenient. If you want to learn how Invisalign can benefit you, schedule an appointment or call our office at (717) 249-7777.
