Many people are drawn to Invisalign because the aligner trays are both convenient and aesthetically pleasing. The treatment is designed to work with your busy lifestyle! However, in order for Invisalign to be successful, you need to do your part. You must keep your aligners in good shape so they can maintain their discreet appearance and effectively shift your teeth. Here are some easy tips to help you do that:
Regularly Rinse Your Aligners
You should rinse your aligners several times each day. It is best to do so whenever you are about to place Invisalign in your mouth. Doing this can prevent saliva from hardening on the clear plastic of the trays and causing it to become discolored.
Clean Your Aligners Each Night
Even if you are in the habit of rinsing your aligners multiple times each day, that is not a reason to neglect a thorough nightly cleaning. You should use a soft brush, along with a mild, unpigmented cleaning agent, to gently scrub all your aligners’ surfaces. You should also regularly soak your aligners; many patients use Invisalign cleaning crystals for this purpose.
Keep Your Mouth Clean
It is common knowledge that oral hygiene is important for the health of your teeth and gums, but it is also important for your Invisalign aligners! If you do not keep up with a thorough brushing and flossing routine, bacteria could transfer from your oral tissues onto your aligners. Over time, this can cause your aligners to start to smell bad or incur discoloration. You should try to clean your mouth after each meal so your trays are always placed on fresh teeth.
Store Your Aligners Securely
You should only take your aligners out of your mouth when you are eating or tending to your oral hygiene. During those short periods, you should place your Invisalign trays somewhere secure. For example, you would never want to wrap them in a napkin while you eat (they might get thrown away) or put them in a place where a curious pet might be able to access them. It is wise to have a small storage case to protect them whenever you are not wearing them.
Mind Your Eating and Drinking Habits
It is fine to sip plain water while you are wearing Invisalign, but it is the only thing you should consume while your trays are in your mouth. If you eat or drink anything else, you could easily warp or stain your aligners.
Talk to Your Dentist if You Have Questions or Concerns
If you are ever unsure of how to take good care of your aligners, or you have other concerns related to your orthodontic treatment, call your dental team. They can provide personalized advice to help you handle any issues that might come up throughout your Invisalign journey.
Keeping your Invisalign trays in good shape is not difficult! Use the above tips to help you enjoy successful treatment.
Meet the Practice
The team at Four Town Dental is proud to be an Invisalign provider for the Enfield community. We are always happy to answer our patients’ questions and offer personalized guidance to help them enjoy easy and successful orthodontic treatment. If you would like to find out more about how we may be able to serve you, contact our friendly staff at 860-856-6928.