Invisalign continues to gain popularity as a discreet alternative to braces for straightening your smile. Instead of bulky metal brackets, this orthodontic service utilizes transparent plastic trays that fit snugly over your teeth to reposition them over a designated period.
However, you must care for the trays properly to avoid harming them, which can potentially add weeks to your Invisalign treatment timeline. Continue reading to learn a few important do’s and don’ts that can keep them in great shape!
#1: DO Implement a Daily Routine
Some patients are surprised to learn that they must wear their transparent trays for 20 to 22 hours a day to prevent their teeth from reverting to their previous positions. Because they cover your teeth and gums for most of the day and night, there is ample opportunity for trapped bacteria to thrive. This increases your risk of common oral health issues, such as tooth decay and gum disease.4
To safeguard your grin, it’s essential to remove your Invisalign morning and night to brush and floss your teeth and prevent dental problems. You should also thoroughly wash your aligners and their carrying container to keep unwanted germs at bay.
#2: DO Remove Them for Meals
You might feel tempted to enjoy a quick snack or sip some tea or coffee with your Invisalign in your mouth, but doing so can harm the plastic material. Not only might it be warped by hot temperatures so it no longer fits, but you might also stain the trays, defeating the purpose of an ‘invisible’ orthodontic solution.
Removing them for meals ensures that they’re safe from harm while you eat. You may want to keep the carrier case with you so you have a safe place to store your Invisalign, where it’s less likely to be thrown out with the trash when you finish your meal.
#3: DON’T Leave Them Out
New patients who aren’t yet accustomed to keeping up with Invisalign might be more likely to forget to insert their containers after meals or cleanings. Unfortunately, if they’re left out too long, they can dry up and form cracks that provide unhealthy bacteria with ideal hiding places. You might even have to reorder your trays if they’re too damaged to be worn or become misshapen.
You can try setting a timer during meals and cleanings to remind you to reinsert them. This can also help you meet your Invisalign wear-time criteria to stay on track with your treatment timeline.
If you still have pressing questions about caring for your clear aligners, the best way to get accurate answers is to contact your dentist!
About the Practice
At Marvel Dental, you benefit from a team of dentists dedicated to helping you build and maintain your most beautiful, healthiest smile. They offer a complete array of services under one roof to streamline your dental care. They prioritize patient care and take the time to establish relationships, which allows them to customize treatment plans to meet your unique needs quickly. Then, they utilize state-of-the-art technology to improve your comfort while increasing the accuracy of the results. If you want a straighter grin, you can request a consultation on the website or call (817) 933-3883.