3 Tips to Help You Meet Your 22-Hour Wear Time with Invisalign

Invisalign clear aligners allow you to straighten your teeth without the uncomfortable roughness of brackets and wires in your mouth. One big difference between traditional metal braces and Invisalign trays is that the aligners are completely removable, allowing you a variety of unique benefits, so long as you’re diligent about wearing them for 20-22 hours a day. Read on for three tips to help you meet your wear time.

Why is it Important to Wear Your Trays for a Set Amount of Time?

Unlike traditional braces that are permanently cemented to your smile, your Invisalign trays will only straighten your teeth so long as they’re in your mouth. This makes remembering to put them back in your mouth after eating, brushing, and flossing crucial in order to achieve your final results in the timeline originally outlined by your dentist in Dallas.

3 Tips to Help You Meet Your Invisalign Wear Time

To reap all of the benefits that Invisalign aligners have to offer, follow these helpful tips to meet your wear time of 20 to 22 hours each day.

Stick to a Schedule

By establishing a routine, you’ll be less likely to accidentally forget to put your trays back in your mouth. Take 15 minutes to eat breakfast, 30 minutes for lunch, and an hour for dinner—this schedule leaves ample room for your trays to be out for snacking and oral hygiene.

Use a Reminder App

With everything else going on in your life, it can be hard to keep track of how long you’ve had your trays in your mouth for. One easy way to do this is by using a special app on your smartphone, like TrayMinder. It’s free to download and even has an add-on you can purchase for your Apple Watch for just $1.99!

Become a Great Multi-Tasker

One of the best ways to minimize the amount of time that your trays aren’t in your mouth is to get good at multi-tasking! While your trays are out for dinner, get a head start on cleaning them by placing them in cleaning crystals. These small, but intentional actions can help you stay on track with wearing your aligners for 22 hours a day.

About the Author

Dr. Vanina Arrechea earned her dental degree in Argentina in 1999 before moving to the US in 2001 and gaining her advanced credentials from the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry (USC) in 2010. She brings decades of experience to the table and is able to offer patients a variety of services under one roof, including modern Invisalign orthodontics. For questions or to schedule a consultation, visit Daily Smiles Dallas’ website or call 214-233-9460.