6 Do’s & Don’ts of Invisalign Treatment

Once upon a time, your only hope for a straighter smile would have required you to wear uncomfortable metal braces for two or more years. Fortunately, today, this is no longer the sole way to address important orthodontic issues! Invisalign uses smooth, clear plastic trays that are custom-designed to gently and strategically straighten your teeth without causing you to rearrange your life around the process. However, there are certain habits that you’ll want to include and exclude from your daily life for the best results. Read on to learn what those are.

Do This…

Clean Your Aligners Every Day

Your aligners can accumulate food debris, plaque, and bacteria, making it crucial to properly clean them every day. If you don’t, these harmful substances could become trapped between your trays and teeth, increasing your risk of developing common oral health concerns, like cavities and gum disease, during your treatment.

Make sure to rinse your trays before each time you put them back in your mouth and give them a more thorough clean twice a day. This involves using clear hand soap and a soft bristled toothbrush or special Invisalign cleansing crystals to remove built-up debris.

Stay on Top of Your Oral Hygiene Routine

In addition to cleaning your trays every day, you’ll also need to brush and floss your teeth after each snack or meal. Although this may feel excessive, it will help you maintain good dental health throughout your treatment so you don’t have to push back your timeline due to needing a root canal, dental filling, or other procedure. To help you get in the habit, be sure to bring a travel-sized dental kit with you wherever you go, allowing you to brush and floss on the go.

Wear Your Trays for 20-22 Hours a Day

In order to stick to your treatment timeline planned out alongside your dentist in Dallas, you’ll need to wear your trays for at least 20 hours a day. 22 hours is ideal, though. This means making sure you don’t accidentally forget to put your aligners back in your mouth after you eat!

Don’t Do This…

Use Toothpaste to Clean Your Trays

Toothpaste is an abrasive cleaner, meaning it can create surface scratches in your trays. This can make them look more visible while they’re in your mouth as well as form small crevices for bacteria to hide in. Instead, opt for clear, soft hand soap or special Invisalign cleansing crystals.

Eat with Your Aligners In

Eating with your trays in your mouth is a big no-no, even if you’re just planning on having a little snack! This is because chewing could alter their shape, affecting how your teeth track during treatment or even damaging them so badly they may need to be replaced.

Drink Hot Beverages

The dangers of eating with your trays in your mouth also translate to drinking hot beverages. The temperature of the liquid can warp your trays alignment, affecting the effectiveness of your treatment and even causing you to need a new aligner.

About the Author

Dr. Vanina Arrechea is a passionate, highly experienced dentist who has been practicing for over 20 years. She keeps up to date with the latest advancements in her field and implements modern technology in the practice to help her patients achieve the best results. In addition to providing preventive dental services, she offers both traditional braces as well as Invisalign orthodontic treatments. For questions or to schedule a consultation, visit Daily Smiles Dental Dallas’ website or call 214-233-9460.