Invisalign®: The Dos and Don’ts That You Should Know About

Getting Invisalign® aligners is one of the best decisions you will ever make. A smile marred with orthodontic problems such as spaces, crooked teeth, misaligned bites, and so on can affect your oral health and your self-esteem.

Invisalign has changed how we carry out orthodontic treatment. It is discreet, removable, and comfortable, traits that are appealing to most adults and teenagers.

However, you should be conversant with the dos and don’ts to ensure that you get the most out of the clear aligners. Therefore, our dentist in Phoenix, AZ, has come up with some dos and don’ts to help you get the desired results.

Do Soak Your Clear Aligners Each Day

If you want your smile to be amazing, you will need to care for your aligners. One way you can care for them is by soaking them at least once every day. You can use the cleaning crystals that are made by Invisalign or denture cleaners.

After they have soaked for some time, use another toothbrush to remove plaque and food particles. You should use a different toothbrush from the one you use to clean your natural teeth. When you have finished brushing them, rinse them with warm water before slipping them back into your mouth.

This process prevents plaque from forming and reduces the chances of cavities while undergoing your orthodontic treatment.

Do Brush and Floss Your Pearly Whites Before Wearing Invisalign

Your oral health is of chief importance while you are undergoing orthodontic treatment. Therefore, you need to practice proper oral care throughout the day. This means that you need to have clean and healthy gums and teeth. If you don’t, you will have other dental issues later on.

Always ensure that you have cleaned your teeth before putting on the aligners. If you do this every time, your oral health will improve. However, if you are cavalier, food particles will become trapped against the teeth.

Do Consider Your Snacks Carefully

Not everyone sticks to three meals a day. Some people enjoy snacking throughout the day. If you fall under this category, you may need to tone it down or readjust your habit to ensure that your Invisalign is well-taken care of.

Invisalign efficacy is affected by the duration you wear it each day. You need to wear them no less than 20 hours each day for them to move your teeth as expected. So, if you snack every other time, it would mean that you are removing them quite often. This might end up affecting how long you wear them at the end of the day.

So, the next time the urge to snack arises, ask yourself if it is really worth the hassle.

Do Stop Taking Too Much Caffeine

Does coffee keep you going throughout the day? Are you the type of person who has to have a cup of coffee to keep you going? If so, you may need to alter this habit or tone down the coffee.

If you are looking for a way to stop the habit, undergoing this orthodontic treatment will be an excellent way to start. You can only drink water when wearing clear aligners. Coffee will stain them, which will make it easier for people to see that you have the braces. Therefore, beating the purpose of getting them, which was discretion.

Don’t Leave Them Laying Out

When you are not using the aligners, place them in the case. If you leave the aligners in the open, you risk exposing them to airborne pathogens.

Additionally, they might get damaged. This is why there is an Invisalign case that you need to carry with you everywhere you go.

Don’t Forget to Plan Your Trips

Remember that when you are undergoing orthodontic treatment, nothing should disrupt the process. Therefore, if you are going on a vacation or a long business trip, plan ahead by carrying the new ones. If not, get the next one in the series shipped to your current location.

Don’t Clean Your Invisalign Using Scented or Colored Soaps

When you are cleaning your aligners, avoid all substances that are colored or scented. This means that you steer clear of toothpaste and soaps. This is because these substances can leave some residue and will damage them.

Don’t Smoke

Smoking is a habit worth kicking. So if you want to get the most out of Invisalign, you will need to wear them for about 20 to 22 hours. This means that you will only have time to eat and drink. If you choose to smoke while having Invisalign on, then they will become discolored. So, quitting will be the best way to go.

Getting Invisalign aligners will change your smile for the better. If you need this revolutionary orthodontic treatment, contact us at Arizona Family Dentistry.