Starting Invisalign treatment is an exciting moment in your life. In just six months, you can have an entirely different smile! Starting your treatment might seem a bit nerve-wracking, but once you get the hang of wearing and cleaning the aligners, it’s a breeze. To help you have a seamless treatment, these six tips from our Invisalign dentists in Spokane Valley are perfect for new wearers to know what to expect.
1. Wear Your Aligners For the Recommended Time
It’s crucial to wear your Invisalign aligners for at least 20 to 22 hours per day to ensure your treatment moves along correctly. If you fail to wear your aligners this long, your teeth might not shift in time to proceed to the next set of aligners which can delay your results. For best results, only remove the Invisalign aligners for eating, drinking, and brushing and flossing. Four hours per day without wearing your aligners should be more than enough time to eat all your meals, have a few snacks, and brush and floss your teeth twice a day.
2. Continue Your Regular Oral Hygiene Routine
Just because you’re wearing clear plastic aligners for the majority of the day doesn’t mean you can skip brushing and flossing or visiting the dentist for cleanings. You will probably end up brushing even more often than before. Every time you eat a meal or snack, you need to brush your teeth before putting your aligners back in. Otherwise, food particles will leave bacteria on your Invisalign aligners and even potentially stain them. After a time, your Invisalign trays will begin to smell from the bacteria.
If you’re unable to brush your teeth after eating, at the very least, you should rinse your mouth out with water thoroughly before putting the aligners back in. For best results, carry a travel-size toothbrush and toothpaste around with you every day. It might seem annoying but your oral health will thank you.
In addition to keeping up with brushing and flossing, you will still need to visit us every six months for your regular dental cleanings. The good news is that it’s very simple to get a cleaning or any dental treatment for that matter. All you have to do is pop out your aligners and we can easily clean your teeth.
Keeping up with your regular oral hygiene routine will help prevent cavities and gum disease from forming during your treatment. That way, once your treatment is complete, you will have a healthy and beautiful smile!
3. Remember to Change Your Aligners
Per our recommendation, usually about every two weeks, you will throw out your current pair of Invisalign aligners and move onto the next set. It’s incredibly important to change them at the correct time to ensure your treatment progresses on time. Make sure to not use your aligners out of order. This can feel very painful otherwise. Following these instructions will help you finish your treatment on time.
4. Clean Your Aligners
Although you will be brushing and flossing regularly, you still need to keep your aligners clean by giving them a thorough cleaning once per day. Invisalign aligners can easily collect bacteria and debris overnight when you sleep. For best results, we recommend brushing them and rinsing them with water at night and in the morning. Don’t boil them, or soak them in mouthwash as this can cause damage. Invisalign also sells special cleaning products you can use.
5. Store Your Clear Aligners Properly
One of the biggest mistakes new Invisalign wearers make is not storing their aligners properly. They might leave them on the bathroom counter while they go eat breakfast only to find their dog chewing on them. Never leave your Invisalign aligners out, and always store them in their case. Bring your case with you everywhere you go so you can store them away if you decide to have a snack or flavored drink. Storing them properly can also prevent bacteria from building up or prevent you from misplacing them.
6. Stay Patient Adjusting to Your New Routine
It might feel frustrating at first to clean your aligners and teeth multiple times per day but we assure you that it will get easier over time. Give yourself time to adjust to your new life and the slight discomfort of the Invisalign aligners. Every time you switch to a new set, you might feel mild discomfort, but this goes away in a few days. You might also talk with a lisp while you get used to wearing the aligners. This will also go away the more you talk while you wear them. Just try to stay patient and everything will fall into place!
Are you ready to transform your smile with Invisalign? Contact Collins Dentistry & Aesthetics today to schedule a consultation with Spokane Valley cosmetic dentists Drs. Ken or Marnie Collins to find out if Invisalign is right for you. Call (509) 927-2273 to book an appointment today!
