Invisalign® is a series of nearly invisible aligners that fit over your teeth. Over time, they’ll move your teeth little by little into their final positions. Unlike traditional metal braces, Invisalign aligners are removable. This means that you’ll be able to continue eating your favorite foods during Invisalign treatment.
Being able to remove your aligners will also make it easier for you to practice good oral hygiene.
Here’s what else you need to know.
WEAR YOUR ALIGNERS 20 TO 22 HOURS PER DAY
Your aligners will only work while you’re wearing them. That’s why it’s important that you wear your aligners at least 20 to 22 hours per day. In other words, you should only remove your Invisalign aligners to eat, brush your teeth, and floss.
If you don’t consistently wear your aligners, they may feel tighter around your teeth the next time you put them on. This is because it doesn’t take much time for your teeth to start drifting back to their original positions. Also, not wearing your aligners means that your teeth won’t move according to your treatment’s original timeline.
It takes a lot of self-discipline to wear clear aligners 20 to 22 hours per day. That’s why we only recommend Invisalign treatment to teens and adults.
CLEAN YOUR ALIGNERS ONCE A DAY
Every night, brush your aligners with only water. Do NOT use toothpaste as some of the ingredients may be abrasive. Brushing with toothpaste may also leave behind a residue on your clear aligners, which can make them look discolored.
You may also use the Invisalign cleaning system. This system uses cleaning crystals to remove plaque from your aligners in about 15 minutes.
BRUSH YOUR TEETH AFTER EATING
You’ll need to brush your teeth after eating. Otherwise, you’ll end up staining your clear aligners. Once bacteria builds up inside your aligners, you may also experience bad breath.
It’s also worth mentioning that you should remove your aligners anytime you’re drinking anything other than water, such as tea or coffee. Otherwise, you’ll trap the liquid between your aligners and your teeth. This not only stains your teeth but bathes them in sugar so they’re more prone to cavities.
STORE YOUR ALIGNERS IN THEIR CASE
If you’re not wearing your aligners, the safest place for them is in the case we give you. Too often, a patient may place their aligners inside a napkin and then throw them away by accident. Likewise, cramming your aligners in your pocket or purse may bend the aligners out of shape.
This is why we always recommend that you store your aligners in their case when you’re eating, brushing your teeth, or flossing. Otherwise, your aligners should be in your mouth.
REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT WITH DR. SIARA-OLDS
Dr. Siara-Olds is a board-certified orthodontist and an Invisalign provider in Milford, MI. During your appointment, she’ll be able to determine if you’re a candidate for Invisalign aligners and help you explore your orthodontic options.
To request a consultation, please call Siara-Olds Orthodontics at (248) 684-6833. You may also fill out our online contact form and someone from our office will reach out to you soon.
