It never feels good to avoid smiling in group photos just because you’re embarrassed of your smile, and it’s normal for parents to recognize this type of self-consciousness in their kids around their teenage years.
And if you think braces might be a little too much for you or your self-conscious teen, then we’ve got great news for you!
Invisible aligners are an awesome dental treatment that slowly but surely straighten your teeth through the gentle pressures of a sequence of subtle, clear aligner trays. This orthodontic innovation is a great alternative to traditional metal braces, and they’re a particularly good option for people with minor to moderate alignment issues.
Here at Healthy Smiles of Staten Island, we pride ourselves on assisting our patients in achieving straighter teeth—and we also understand just how tough it can sometimes be to keep up with everything associated with invisible aligner treatment.
This is why we’ve developed the below list of do’s and don’ts oriented around wearing invisible aligners on a daily basis, so check out the below sections to see what you or your child should keep in mind during invisible aligner treatment!
Be sure to keep the following best practices in mind to help guarantee that your invisible aligner treatment is as effective as possible:
Daily soaking and proper cleaning of your aligners is absolutely essential for extending each set’s durability and cleanliness, which can save you the time and cost of replacing them if something accidentally goes wrong.
In order to clean invisible aligners, you’ll need to utilize a soft-bristled toothbrush and special cleaning solution that’s specifically designed for invisible aligners (which we’ll give you).
Always be sure to thoroughly rinse your aligners after cleaning them and putting them back in your mouth as well.
Washing out your mouth with mouthwash and brushing your teeth with fluoride toothpaste is a must-do prior to wearing invisible aligners. This type of oral hygiene upkeep will significantly reduce your risk of developing tooth decay, and it’ll also help to straighten your teeth more efficiently.
Mouth washing and brushing also go a long way to remove bacteria and plaque from your gums and teeth, which is something you’ll definitely want to avoid while wearing clear aligner trays on top of your teeth throughout the course of each day.
The general rule of thumb for daily invisible aligner usage is that you should wear them for at least 22 hours per day. This gives your aligners enough time per day to exert necessary pressures on your teeth and subsequently maintain your treatment’s timeline and efficiency.
Because you’ll need to wear your aligners for about 22 hours per day, you’ll essentially only be taking them out to eat meals/snacks and brush your teeth. It’s important for patients to remember that when you take your aligners out for long periods of time or too often, you’ll inadvertently extend your treatment and potentially cause less-optimal results!
Every invisible aligner patient must take their oral hygiene very seriously, because good oral hygiene will help you with the following:
· Reducing oral issues like bad breath and tooth decay
· Preventing bacteria and plaque accumulation
· Removing food particles stuck within your invisible aligners
· Ensuring the effectiveness of your treatment
· Minimizing potential side effects
Although invisible aligners aren’t going to interfere with you or your child’s daily activities, there are some rules that apply specifically to invisible aligner patients, including:
One common issue that comes with leaving your invisible aligners out of your mouth is that it can cause them to get dry, which makes them prone to breaking or cracking. Although this is a rare scenario, keeping your aligners moist will help maintain each set’s overall effectiveness.
This includes keeping an aligner case on you each day and placing your aligners in the case when not in use.
And when you’re ready to put your aligners back on after eating or brushing, you’ll want to thoroughly rinse them with water before putting them back in your mouth.
There are all sorts of abrasive cleaning chemicals that can potentially damage your aligners, and this can lead to issues like discoloration, scratching, and other significant damages that impact an aligner’s effectiveness.
It’s also important to remember how using abrasive chemicals to clean your aligners exposes you to these chemicals, which isn’t good for your health. This is why you should only use a soft-bristled toothbrush and cleaning solution when you clean your aligners each day.
It’s crucial to avoid smoking while wearing invisible aligners, because this helps to maintain each aligner’s effectiveness and general appearance.
When an aligner gets discolored, it’s usually visible and aesthetically unpleasing. If you do smoke while wearing invisible aligners, you’ll want to regularly clean your aligners throughout the course of each day to remove tobacco odors and stains.
You’ll need to remove your invisible aligners prior to eating or drinking, except when you’re drinking water.
There are various drinks and types of food that can stain or discolor aligners, and it’s never comfortable to chew with them in your mouth. However, one of the great advantages of invisible aligners is that you won’t have dietary restrictions like braces patients experience!
Also be sure to thoroughly clean your aligners and brush/floss your teeth prior to putting them back on.
Do you sometimes look in the mirror and wish your smile was straighter and more aesthetically pleasing? Do you avoid smiling in social situations because you’re embarrassed of your misalignment?
If you answered yes to either of the above questions and you live in the Staten Island area, then you’ve come to the right dental practice website. Our team is here to help you with all of your dental care needs, and we’re very proud to provide invisible aligner treatment options for people who’d like to address their orthodontic issues as well.
Reach out to us online or give us a call at 718-948-1600 to schedule a visit with Dr. Cipriano today!
