The Dos and Don’ts of Invisalign

The emergence of Invisalign® treatment has completely changed people’s view about teeth aligners. Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign® offers flexibility and comfort, because the braces are not visible and can be easily removed. Patients do not face restrictions when eating or interacting with others. There is a need to take some precautionary measures, however, to make sure this treatment achieves the teeth alignment you been dreaming of. Below is a list of “dos” and “don’ts” associated with maintaining your Invisalign® treatment.

Dos:

Keep Your Teeth and Aligners Clean

One of the dangers of any type of aligner is the possibility of bad breath and stained teeth. The best way to avoid these problems is through regular brushing and flossing. Make sure that you remove your aligners during meals, then put them back on after cleaning and brushing your teeth. If you are not in a position to brush your teeth, rinse your mouth using warm water. You can also carry sugar-free gum in case you are in a remote place.

Make Regular Visits to Trained Professionals

Patients should visit Dr. Runnels for regular checkups. He will check whether the aligners are working properly and examine the progress. If there any changes required, our experts will know what to do.

Wear Your Aligners

There is some confusion regarding Invisalign® treatment because patients have the liberty of removing their aligners whenever they want to. You should wear your aligners for at least 20 hours a day, however, to ensure that you achieve the desired look within the expected period.

Don’ts:

Eat while wearing your aligners

Drinking colored drinks or eating food with your aligners in can cause them to become stained. Remember that the main objective of Invisalign® is to straighten the teeth while remaining invisible. Stained aligners are unsightly and do not serve the main purpose of Invisalign® treatment. It can also cause bad breath, which is why you should stick to drinking only water whenever you have your braces on.

Use toothpaste to clean your braces

While toothpaste is important for cleaning the teeth, it is not appropriate to use on Invisalign®. Toothpaste can damage your aligners, which leads to more expenses to get new ones. The best thing is to gently clean the braces using clear anti-bacterial soap.

For more great advice, contact M. Scott Runnels D.M.D., P.A. Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics today to speak with a member of our team and set up a consultation with Dr. Runnels. We’d love to hear from you!