If you have chosen to wear Invisalign clear aligners rather than metal braces in an effort to improve your smile. You are, of course, excited about what lies ahead in the coming months. Yet while you are wearing Invisalign aligners, you must make oral health a top priority. To ensure you get the results you want upon completing your treatment, here are some crucial oral health tips to keep in mind.
Brush and Floss Daily
Just as you would do if you had traditional metal braces, you should always brush and floss daily while wearing Invisalign. This will mean brushing promptly after every meal and flossing at least once daily. When you go to work, school, or are otherwise on the go here and there, try to have a travel toothbrush and a small tube of toothpaste with you since this will make it convenient for you to keep your teeth and gums clean.
Try to Avoid Stain-Causing Drinks
Should you be someone who loves to drink tea, coffee, or wine regularly, you may want to limit the amount of these drinks you consume during your Invisalign treatment. While these may taste good, they can also severely stain your teeth. You may also want to reduce the amount of soda or juice you drink since these are often filled with high amounts of sugar that can lead to tooth decay. Remember, you want your smile to be the one that stands out in the Invisalign before and after smile gallery for all the right reasons.
Clean Your Aligners
Along with ensuring your teeth and gums stay clean and healthy during your Invisalign treatment, you will also want to clean your aligners to stay in excellent condition. If you fail to do so, this could prolong your treatment and possibly make you not get the desired results. For best results, use an Invisalign cleaning kit, which will contain specialized crystals that will get your aligners clean and fresh in about 15-20 minutes. Under no circumstances should you brush your aligners with toothpaste since the toothpaste may contain abrasive ingredients that may damage your aligners.
Properly Store Your Aligners
Don’t just set your aligners down on a table or desk when you take them out. If you do, they could quickly pick up various types of bacteria and germs, which are not things you want to be placed in your mouth. Instead, use the aligner case given to you by your orthodontist. Remember, the last thing you want to do is lose your aligners or, worse yet, find your dog chewing on them after thinking you have bought them a new toy.
Rinse with Water or Mouthwash
After you have finished brushing and flossing your teeth, always make sure you rinse your mouth with either water or mouthwash before you put your aligners back into place. This will help rid your mouth of any food particles that may still be lingering, as well as help kill bacteria and germs that may be trying to turn your mouth into their new permanent home. Best of all, your mouth will feel even cleaner and fresher, improving your self-confidence even more.
Remove Them When Eating or Drinking
If you are tempted to leave your Invisalign aligners in your mouth when you are eating or drinking, get this thought out of your head immediately. If you fail to do so, you will damage your aligners and ensure food particles will remain stuck between your teeth. If you let this happen over a long time during your treatment, chances are you will have a large amount of plaque forming on what were supposed to be pearly white teeth and a beautiful smile.
Along with following these important oral health tips when wearing your Invisalign aligners, also remember to make it a priority to keep all of your appointments with your dentist and orthodontist. Doing so allows you to keep your treatment on schedule, resolve minor problems before they get bigger, and have peace of mind along the way.
Consult a trusted dental clinic to look after your oral care needs. You can take time to search online for a reliable clinic near you before seeking their help.
AUTHOR NAME : ALISON LURIE