More and more patients these days are choosing Invisalign to straighten their teeth due to all of the exciting benefits that these clear aligners have to offer. One of the biggest advantages of Invisalign is flexibility; the aligners are transparent, removable, and designed to fit seamlessly into your daily life. But that flexibility does come with quite a bit of responsibility; Invisalign only works as well as you wear it, meaning that following a few basic rules and guidelines is crucial. Here’s what you need to keep in mind.
Invisalign Dos
- Wear your aligners for the required 20 to 22 hours each day, to ensure that your teeth move as intended.
Swap to your aligners as instructed by your provider, which is usually every two weeks. It’s often easiest to do this at nighttime before bed. - Remove your aligners for meals and for oral hygiene, or to clean the aligners themselves. Even snacking or drinking anything except clear water means the aligners come out.
- Maintain excellent oral hygiene during your treatment so that you do not develop cavities, and keep your aligners clean since they can trap bacteria against your teeth.
- Attend all of your Invisalign check-in appointments so that your provider can ensure things are moving along as planned.
Invisalign Don’ts
- When cleaning your aligners, never use hot water since this can warp the material. Instead, use room-temperature or cool water and mild, non-abrasive dish soap rather than toothpaste. Invisalign cleaning crystals are also okay to use.
- Don’t set your aligners on a tabletop or wrap them in a napkin when you take them out, since this can cause them to become lost or broken. Instead, store them in their carrying case.
- Don’t eat or drink anything except for regular water when wearing your Invisalign, since this can cause staining or possible damage to the aligners.
- If you lose or damage an aligner, don’t neglect to let your provider know. Even missing just a few days is enough to set your treatment back!
The bottom line is, Invisalign is an incredibly effective orthodontic option, but its success depends on consistency above all else. However, by following these simple dos and don’ts, you can easily ensure a smooth and stress-free journey to a straighter smile.
About the Practice
Our team here at Simply Orthodontics has served patients and families in Milford and the nearby areas for several years, with Dr. Arlene Pimentel leading the way. We offer a wide range of orthodontic services for all ages, including Invisalign clear aligners, traditional metal braces, ceramic braces, and many more options. With our help, achieving a straighter smile has never been easier! If you have any questions about the blog or you’re ready to schedule an appointment for yourself or a loved one, please call or reach out online for more information or assistance. Telephone: (508) 203-9541.
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