Tips for New Invisalign Patients

Invisalign is an orthodontic system that corrects misalignments without the use of wires, brackets, or metal. Instead, Invisalign uses a series of clear aligners to straighten teeth. These aligners are made of smooth, comfortable plastic that won’t irritate sensitive tissues in the mouth. If you recently got your aligners, then here are some ways to take care of them.

Cleaning Your Aligners Properly

No matter what type of aligner you have, it’s important to keep them clean. The aligners can get dirty and trap bacteria, so it’s important to wash them regularly.

To clean your aligners, you should:

• Brush your teeth before putting your aligners back in.
• Clean your aligners when you remove them from your mouth.
• Brush your aligners before you put them back in.
• Brush your aligners every morning and every night.

Avoiding Hard and Sticky Foods

Invisalign aligners are removable, so you can take them out to eat. However, you should only take them out to eat soft foods and avoid chewing gum. Wearing your aligners while chewing on hard foods can crack your aligners.

If you remove your aligners, make sure to put them back in your mouth for 20 to 30 minutes. The amount of time you should wear them depends on the aligner.

Avoiding Certain Drinks

While you’re in treatment, you’ll want to avoid drinking anything that can stain your teeth, such as coffee, tea, and red wine. You should also avoid drinking many sugary drinks, such as soda, fruit juice, and lemonade. The sugar in these drinks can feed oral bacteria and cause cavities.

Avoiding Nail Biting

Nail biting is a common habit that can affect both adults and teens. Nail biting causes teeth to become misaligned or excessively worn down. The constant motion of biting nails can cause teeth to break or chip.

If you’re experiencing issues with your teeth, reach out to your dentist as soon as possible. They will offer advice on how to stop nail biting.

Wearing Your Aligners

Invisalign aligners are removable, which means you can take them out to brush your teeth and eat. That’s good news if you enjoy popcorn or sticky candy. You can take your aligners out before a meal to eat whatever you want and then put your aligners back in. Just be careful that you don’t bite down too hard on anything that you’re eating. Be sure to brush your teeth thoroughly before putting your aligners back in.

Keeping Your Appointments

It’s no secret that when it comes to straightening your teeth, the key to success is consistency. For this reason, we recommend wearing your aligners at least 22 hours a day, removing them only to eat, drink, brush and floss.

Consistency is the key, and too many missed appointments can set you back. That’s why it’s so important to make and keep your regular appointments. We know things come up, but we’re only human, too, and we do understand that sometimes, emergencies happen. If that happens to you, let us know in advance, and we will do everything we can to accommodate you.

This should also be a reminder to change your aligners on schedule. As your teeth shift, your aligners will need to shift in response. Wearing them too long, or skipping too many appointments, can result in your teeth shifting back into their original position.

If you have any questions, we’re here for you! Give us a call or stop by our office.

For more tips and comprehensive dental care, visit Uptown Smiles at 601 NW 23rd St Suite #200, Oklahoma City, OK 73103. Call us at (405) 702-7766 for appointments.