Getting the Best Out of Your Clear Aligners
So, you’ve embarked on the journey to a straighter, more confident smile with Invisalign – the discreet and convenient clear aligners. Congratulations on this exciting step! However, to make the most out of your Invisalign treatment, it’s vital to understand the ins and outs of using and caring for your aligners.
In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the use and care instructions for Invisalign, ensuring you have a smooth and successful orthodontic journey.
How to Use Invisalign Effectively
Invisalign is designed to be worn for the majority of your day to achieve optimal results. Here are some essential use instructions to get the best out of your clear aligners:
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Wear Your Aligners for the Prescribed Duration
Invisalign works most effectively when worn for 20 to 22 hours each day. Devote the recommended time to ensure the aligners can gradually move your teeth to their desired positions.
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Invisalign at Night Only
While consistency is key, you can wear Invisalign at night only if advised by your orthodontist. However, discuss this thoroughly with your orthodontist to ensure it aligns with your treatment plan.
Orthodontist in Richmond Hill, ON
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Avoid Putting Your Aligners in Early or Late
Always follow the specific schedule provided by your orthodontist. Avoid putting your aligners in too early or too late in the day to ensure a consistent treatment progress.
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Only Wearing Invisalign 12 or 18 Hours a Day
While it’s important to wear Invisalign for a significant portion of the day, 12 or 18 hours may not be sufficient for optimal results. Strive to follow the recommended duration for effective treatment.
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Mind Your Diet
Invisalign allows you to remove your aligners when eating, providing freedom in your diet. However, be cautious of what you consume to avoid damaging the aligners.
Can You Drink Coffee with Invisalign?
Yes, you can drink coffee with Invisalign, but remember to remove the aligners and clean them before putting them back in to prevent staining.
Invisalign and Drinking with a Straw
Drinking through a straw is advisable to prevent sugary or acidic drinks from getting trapped between your aligners and your teeth.
Can You Chew Gum with Invisalign?
Chewing gum with aligners in isn’t recommended as it can damage the aligners and hinder your treatment progress.
Smoking with Invisalign
Smoking with aligners in is discouraged as it can stain the aligners and affect your oral health.
Properly Take Out Your Aligners
Follow the correct technique to remove your aligners to prevent damage and ensure ease of use.
Handle Aligners with Clean Hands
Before handling your aligners, ensure your hands are clean to maintain optimal hygiene.
How to Care for Your Invisalign Aligners
Caring for your Invisalign aligners is crucial for maintaining oral hygiene and ensuring effective treatment. Here’s how to do it:
Clean Your Aligners Regularly
Keep your aligners clean by rinsing them every time you remove them. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently brush them to prevent plaque buildup.
Invisalign is an increasingly popular orthodontic treatment– and with good reason! Invisalign allows wearers to straighten teeth discreetly and conveniently, with much fewer trips to the orthodontist. However, we’ve found that many patients become so comfortable with their Invisalign treatment that they take the upkeep of their clear aligners for granted. If you want to get the most out of your Invisalign, you’ll need to make an effort to take care of your aligners.
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Brush Your Aligners Regularly
Plaque and tartar can build up in your clear aligners without proper consistent cleaning. As with natural teeth, a soft-bristle toothbrush is the best way to clean your aligners. But unlike natural teeth, toothpaste and aligners don’t mix. Toothpaste is an abrasive and can potentially damage the surface of your aligners, making them cloudy and dull. We recommend using dish soap to clean your aligners every morning and evening. Just make sure to rinse them thoroughly before putting them in!
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Rinse Your Aligners
Saliva serves the important function of washing food particles off the teeth throughout the day, helping to prevent bacterial buildup. But, clear aligners prevent this. As a result, food can become trapped between the teeth and the aligner, allowing bacteria to develop and spread.
When you remove your aligners to eat or drink, go ahead and give them a thorough rinse under the faucet before putting them back in. Regularly rinsing washes away any errant particles. Not only does this help prevent plaque from accumulating, but it also makes the process of cleaning your aligners much quicker and easier!
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Brushing and Flossing
One of the advantages Invisalign has over braces is that it gives you the ability to brush and floss freely. We recommend brushing at least twice daily, and flossing at least once a day to fight plaque buildup and maintain healthy teeth. This is especially true when wearing clear aligners as teeth aren’t naturally cleaned during the day, leaving them especially vulnerable to bacterial buildup.
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Soak Your Aligners
While brushing your aligners is a great way to prevent plaque buildup, we recommend soaking your aligners daily to ensure that all bacteria is eliminated. There are several products available for soaking aligners. Invisalign makes Invisalign Cleaning System Crystals that come with a set of instructions to make cleaning your aligners easy. There are also several trusted companies out there that make retainer cleaning formulated to clean clear aligners. If you’d rather go with a DIY treatment, you can easily soak your aligners in a mixture of equal parts distilled white vinegar and warm water for 15 to 30 minutes. Just remember to never soak your aligners in mouthwash, denture cleaning solutions, or toxic chemicals like bleach.
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Keep Your Clear Aligners in Their Case
Nothing could be worse for your Invisalign aligners than leaving them in the open air for long periods of time. Not only does this potentially expose your aligners to foreign pathogens, but it can also lead to the plastic drying out and warping. Once your aligners have become misshapen, they are effectively useless. Aligners are costly to replace and doing so could also prolong your treatment. For these reasons, whenever you aren’t wearing your aligners, make sure to keep them in their case.
Taking Care of You Invisalign Clear Aligners
While taking care of your Invisalign can seem overwhelming at first, it requires only a little diligence and foresight. As long as you keep up with your treatment plan and daily cleanings, we promise that the results will be worth it!
Are you interested in starting your Invisalign orthodontic treatment? Call or contact our Richmond Hill dental office today to set up your consultation.
How to Use Invisalign Cleaning Crystals
Invisalign cleaning crystals are a convenient way to keep your aligners fresh. Dissolve the crystals in water and soak your aligners as instructed to keep them clean and odor-free.
How to Clean Invisalign Retainers
Cleaning your retainers is essential for maintaining good oral hygiene. Use mild soap or retainer cleaning tablets and a soft brush to clean them.
Avoid Exposing Aligners to Heat
Avoid hot water or any form of heat with your aligners, as it can warp or damage them.
Addressing Different Issues
What to Do If You Haven’t Worn Your Aligners for a Day
If you miss wearing your aligners for a day, put them back on as soon as possible and wear them for extra time to make up for the missed hours.
Can You Wear Invisalign While Pregnant?
Invisalign can be worn during pregnancy, but it’s essential to consult your orthodontist and inform them about your pregnancy for appropriate guidance.
Handling Invisalign with Wisdom Teeth
If you have wisdom teeth, consult your orthodontist to determine if they might impact your Invisalign treatment and what steps need to be taken.
Addressing Lost Invisalign Trays
If you lose an aligner tray, contact your orthodontist immediately for guidance on the next steps.
Invisalign Attachments Falling Off
If an attachment falls off, contact your orthodontist to address the issue promptly and ensure your treatment continues smoothly.
Conclusion: Embrace Your Invisalign Journey
Invisalign is an incredible orthodontic tool that offers flexibility, discretion, and effective teeth straightening. By adhering to the recommended usage and caring for your aligners diligently, you’re setting yourself up for a successful orthodontic journey. Remember, if you have any concerns or questions, always consult your orthodontist to ensure you’re on the right track to achieving the
