Invisalign is considered a modern alternative to straighten teeth compared to traditional metal or ceramic braces. The treatment consists of wearing clear, removable aligners which over time enables your teeth to straighten and rectify any orthodontic issues that you may have had. One of the main benefits why patients opt for Invisalign treatment is because they’re practically invisible, unlike traditional braces which are a little more visibly obvious. They’re also considered a more convenient alternative as they’re easily removable for drinking, eating, brushing and flossing and are an overall improvement for oral health.
With that being said, it’s still important for users to make some slight adjustments whilst wearing Invisalign aligners. Here are 5 tips every orthodontic Invisalign patient should know.
The fact that your aligners are removable can be a blessing and a curse at the same time. It’s useful that they’re removable for eating and drinking purposes, having the ability to enjoy all your favourite foods and keep your oral hygiene intact.
On the other hand, patients tend to forget to put their Invisalign retainers back in their mouth after eating or drinking. A rule for the treatment is that they should be worn between 20-22 hours a day. If this is not adhered to, it’s possible you’ll require prolonged treatment and additional visits to your dentist.
To prevent bacteria build-up and to keep your teeth clean, it’s important that you clean your aligners properly. Be sure to remove your aligners and clean them and your teeth when you wake up in the morning and do the same before you go to bed in the evening. Also, if you remove the aligners from your mouth be sure to rinse them after taking them out.
A useful way to remove plaque and bacteria from your aligners is to either use a clear antibacterial soap or soft-bristled toothbrush. It’s also advised that you soak the aligners in denture or Invisalign cleaning crystals. Then, use an additional toothbrush to eliminate any remaining food residue. It’s important to floss and brush your teeth before reinserting your aligners to avoid the food particles trapping inside them and causing dental issues.
Leaving your aligners out in the open can easily leave them exposed to anti-bacterial build up. It also leaves them prone to being lost or misplaced. Rather than leaving them in a tissue and ending up in the garbage, keep your aligners in their case and store them there whenever you need to remove them from your mouth.
Whilst toothpaste is ideal for brushing your teeth, the same cannot be said when using them to clean your aligners. The ingredients they contain can be too harsh for Invisalign aligners and can cause damage and discolouration. Also be wary not to clean your aligners with coloured soaps as it can stain them and leave a lingering taste in your mouth whenever you’re wearing Invisalign aligners.
It’s quite an adjustment to start to wear aligners every single day, so when you first have your Invisalign fitted, they will take some time getting used to. Thankfully, they don’t take long to get used to. Unlike traditional braces you’ll avoid irritations in your gums and mouth from metal wires or brackets. What you will have to get used to is removing them to eat and speaking whilst wearing Invisalign aligners. You may initially develop a slight lisp, but this should ease over time.
Opting for the treatment will be an exciting new experience, and you’ll probably want to know as much information as possible before wearing Invisalign. At Dental Solutions, we’ll let you know everything you need to know about caring for your oral health and getting the most out of your Invisalign treatment. Visit our invisalign page for further details about the treatment and contact us today to set up your appointment.