Invisalign clear aligners offer a convenient and discreet way to correct dental misalignment. But if you want them to succeed, you have to do your part. Your dental team will provide you with detailed instructions to help you avoid costly mistakes and delays. In the meantime, this blog post outlines some basic do’s and don’ts that will contribute to smooth, complication-free treatment.
Invisalign Do’s
Your daily habits play a major role in the success of your Invisalign treatment. Follow these simple steps to keep your aligners clean, protect your teeth, and help your smile progress according to plan:
- Wear your aligners for 20 to 22 hours each day. This will keep your teeth moving at the correct pace.
- Remove your aligners before you consume meals, snacks, coffee, tea, soda, or any drink other than plain water.
- Brush and floss after meals before you place your aligners back on your teeth.
- Rinse your aligners with cool or lukewarm water each time you remove them.
- Clean your aligners each day with a soft toothbrush and clear, mild soap or a dentist-approved cleaner. You can also soak them with Invisalign cleaning crystals.
- Store your aligners in their case whenever they are not in your mouth.
- Call your dentist right away if an aligner breaks, feels unusually sharp, or no longer fits well.
- Try to integrate Invisalign into your routine. This might mean you need to adjust your mealtimes, carry some oral hygiene tools with you on-the-go, or practice speaking with Invisalign so communication is natural and easy.
Invisalign Don’ts
Invisalign is designed to fit your life, but even small mistakes can cause stressful issues. Here are some things to avoid throughout your treatment period:
- Do not eat while your aligners are in your mouth because doing so can crack, stain, or distort them.
- Do not drink hot liquids with your aligners in place because heat can warp the plastic.
- Do not leave aligners on a plate, in a napkin, or loose in a pocket or bag. You might accidentally throw them away or lose track of them!
- Do not use harsh cleaners, bleach, mouthwash, or boiling water on your aligners.
- Do not skip aligner wear for long periods, even if your teeth feel sore. Consistent use can actually reduce soreness.
- Do not switch to the next tray early unless your dental team tells you to do so.
- Do not throw away previous aligners until your dentist says they are no longer needed.
- Do not smoke; it could stain your aligners and, worse, endanger your oral health.
Living with Invisalign is not difficult, but it does require diligence! Talk to your dental team for additional guidance on how to make the most of your treatment.
Meet the Practice
At New Haven Dental Group, we are proud to be an Invisalign provider for the Branford community. We are always happy to answer our patients’ questions about how to make the treatment as easy and successful as possible. If you would like to learn more about clear aligners and how they might affect your lifestyle, contact our office at 203-439-6895.