So you’ve made the decision to use Invisalign to create the beautiful smile you’ve always wanted. Congratulations!
You’re glad you won’t be wearing bulky metal braces, but instead, you’ll have plastic trays that will be invisible as they straighten your teeth. But you’re wondering: How can I get the best results from my Invisalign?
Here at Portrait Dental, we have guided thousands of patients through the Invisalign process. Here are five smart practices to help you make the most of Invisalign.
Invisalign can work faster than traditional braces, but to get that beautiful smile as quickly as possible, you need to wear your trays at least 22 hours a day. This gives you a couple of hours each day to take them out while you eat or drink, or even for a special occasion now and then.
Just make sure to put them back in as soon as possible, and wear them while you sleep overnight. The trays move your teeth incrementally to the correct position, so you must wear them as much as possible, so they can be as effective as possible.
When you begin your treatment, your dentist will give you several numbered sets of trays. You’ll wear them in consecutive order, changing them every two or three weeks. Each set will move your teeth a little farther than before, so it’s important that you change them exactly on schedule. If you delay a transition, you’ll be delaying the overall result.
If you want to avoid the bad breath that can come with the saliva build-up that tends to occur with the plastic trays, clean your aligners regularly. Invisalign sells official cleaning crystals, or you can use a clear antibacterial soap or mouthwash (just rinse them off well before you put them back in). Avoid toothpaste — it can scratch the plastic. Keeping your aligners clean will also help you avoid the gum disease and tooth decay that can come from an accumulation of bacteria.
Along with keeping your aligners clean, keep your teeth clean, too. Your aligners press tightly against your teeth, which means your saliva can’t clean them as much as it normally does. You have to brush and floss regularly to keep up your oral health and avoid cavities or gum disease. You should brush after every meal. You should also keep your regular cleaning appointments with your dentist to check for any issues or problems.
Whenever you switch to a new set of aligners, don’t throw the old ones in the trash right away. If you should happen to lose the newest set, or if they are damaged, you can put the previous set in until you can get advice from your dentist on exactly how to handle the situation. Wearing the most recent trays will keep your teeth from shifting back and keep you headed in the right direction.
If you need help on your Invisalign journey, or if you’re ready to begin, contact Portrait Dental to schedule a consultation. Just call our office, or book your own appointment with our convenient online scheduler!
