Invisalign Do’s and Don’ts
Invisalign treatment is a popular alternative to traditional braces and a wonderful method for achieving a beautiful smile. However, to ensure that your Invisalign aligners remain in great condition and provide optimal results, there are certain things that you should and shouldn’t do while using Invisalign.
Do: Soak Your Invisalign Aligners Every Day
Since you’ll be wearing your Invisalign aligners daily for a prolonged period, you’ll want to keep them clean and fresh. To achieve this, it’s important to soak them at least once every day. You can do this using denture cleaner or the special Invisalign cleaning crystals, and once they’ve soaked, you should scrub away the remaining food particles and plaque with a toothbrush.
Don’t: Leave Your Aligners Sitting Out
During the brief periods each day when you aren’t wearing your Invisalign, you should always keep the aligners stored in their case. If you leave the trays out in the open air, they will be much more likely to accumulate bacteria. In the event that you accidentally leave your aligners out, make sure that you thoroughly clean them before putting them back in your mouth.
Do: Brush and Floss Your Teeth
If you want to keep your Invisalign aligners clean, you should always brush and floss your teeth before you put them in. When you wear your Invisalign over unclean teeth, there’s a good chance that the food particles will get trapped inside the trays, which can lead to plaque and bacteria developing.
Don’t: Eat or Drink With Your Aligners In
Although your Invisalign aligners are durable, they are not meant to withstand the pressure of chewing. Plus, they tend to get stained by food and beverages. Whenever you’re going to eat or drink anything aside from water, take your aligners out first and put them in their case.
Do: Wear Your Invisalign for 22 Hours Per Day
Your Invisalign aligners can only work to straighten your teeth when you’re actually wearing them. To achieve optimal results, it’s imperative that you keep your Invisalign in for 20 to 22 hours each day. You should only remove the aligners when you’re eating, drinking, or brushing your teeth.
Don’t: Smoke Cigarettes
Although it’s okay to take your Invisalign aligners out once in a while for a smoke break, you should never smoke while you’re wearing them. If you do, it will stain the trays.
What Is the Takeaway?
Although there are certain rules you need to follow to get the most out of your Invisalign treatment, all of them are pretty straightforward. If you’d like to learn more about Invisalign or begin your treatment, simply schedule an appointment with one of our skilled Naples Dentists at BayView Dental Arts.