Posted on April 7, 2022
in the United States, 29% of people say that someone’s teeth are the first thing they notice about someone. People with straighter teeth are often perceived to be more successful and wealthy.
Luckily, there are a few easy ways that you can get straighter teeth if you have a crooked smile. One option is getting Invisalign. Do you want to learn more about how you can care for your Invisalign aligners?
Keep reading this complete Invisalign care guide for everything you need to know about taking care of your aligners!
When you get Invisalign, it is important that you only drink water when you are wearing your clear aligners. This is because other drinks can damage your aligners!
For example, hot drinks can warp the plastic of your aligners and will make them less effective. Other drinks, like soda, can stain your clear aligners and will make them more noticeable when you wear them.
Plus, when you drink with your Invisalign aligners in your mouth, the liquids can seep between the plastic aligners and your teeth which can lead to an increased chance of tooth decay.
You can still drink whatever you want, just make sure you remove your aligners before you drink anything other than water.
It is also important that you monitor your diet when you are using Invisalign aligners. This is because you are not supposed to eat with your aligners. If you do, the food particles will build up on your aligners and can damage the soft material.
Eating with your Invisalign aligners can also cause other damage to your trays. This is because your teeth are very strong and can eventually crack your trays if you leave them in your mouth while you eat.
Instead, you must always take your aligners out when you eat, even if you are just snacking!
You should also avoid foods and drinks that can stain your aligners, like coffee and alcohol
Another important part of Invisalign care is wearing them for enough time during the day. While you can take your Invisalign off whenever you want, especially when you eat, you must wear your aligners for at least 20 to 22 hours every day.
Only take your aligners out when you are eating, drinking, and brushing your teeth. If you don’t wear your Invisalign aligners for long enough, it may end up prolonging your treatment.
Often, people that are using Invisalign to get straight teeth and a healthy smile will not take good enough care of their natural teeth. While your Invisalign does cover your teeth, you still need to brush and floss your teeth.
If you don’t take care of your teeth, you may find that food gets stuck in your teeth and inside your aligners. This can lead to more bacteria growth in your mouth and an increased risk of cavities and decay.
Typically, it is recommended that you brush your teeth after every meal. This will eliminate food particles and will help you keep your aligners cleaner!
It is also important that you brush your aligners, along with your teeth. You should clean your aligners every single night as you brush and floss your teeth. This will help you remove food, bacteria, and other debris that will accumulate on your aligners during the day.
Even if you don’t eat with your aligners in your mouth, it can be easy for debris to come loose in your mouth and lodge itself in your clear aligners. Rinsing and brushing your aligners will keep them in better shape for longer!
When you are cleaning your aligners, it is also important that you avoid using harsh or abrasive cleansers. These can damage your Invisalign aligners permanently and can begin to break down the material.
For example, you shouldn’t use denture cleaners, toothpaste, or even mouthwashes that have alcohol to clean your aligners. Other soaps that have added dyes can also dye your clear aligners, which may be embarrassing when you have to wear your aligners for the rest of the two weeks.
Lastly, you shouldn’t use a harsh, coarse bristle brush for Invisalign cleaning. These can scratch your plastic aligners. Instead, use a soft-bristled toothbrush when you clean your aligners.
Finally, you must learn how to store your Invisalign aligners properly. Often, people will take them out while they are eating and drinking and will leave them in their pockets, on their plates, or out in the open.
However, this can cause serious damage to your aligners. Even though they are quite durable, you don’t want any unnecessary wear and tear on them. Plus, leaving your aligners out in the open may make it easier for bacteria to grow on your Invisalign.
By storing your Invisalign aligners in a retainer cause, you will be less likely to lose them and you can keep them clean and safe.
Using Invisalign to get straight teeth and a healthy smile is much easier than taking care of traditional metal braces. Still, it is important that you learn the proper Invisalign care instructions to get the most out of your treatment.
Do you want to learn more about these teeth straightening treatments or other Invisalign care steps? Guymon Orthodontics can help! We provide orthodontic services including braces, Invisalign, and more.
Contact us today to learn more about Invisalign or to book a free consultation with your oral health experts.
