Orthodontics shouldn’t be complicated, which is why Invisalign® is so straightforward. In fact, there are plenty of “hacks” you can try while undergoing this type of treatment and our Cooper City, FL, Invisalign dentists would be more than happy to share them with all interested patients. While these tips won’t magically speed up your time wearing , they will hopefully make the experience that much more manageable.
Here are 4 pieces of advice for anyone straightening teeth with Invisalign to make sure your treatment goes as smoothly as possible.
Put in Your Next Set of Aligners Before Bed
Unlike braces that remain on your teeth until they’re removed, Invisalign aligners need to be swapped out every few weeks. Switching to new sets of custom clear aligners allows your Invisalign treatment to progress as scheduled and your teeth to straighten on time. Think about how braces are adjusted every 4-6 weeks. This is similar, except it’s a much quicker turnaround.
Graduating to the next set in your series can cause some discomfort as your mouth adjusts. To prevent a day of mild tooth pain, try putting in new trays before climbing in bed. This way, the adjustment period will be while you sleep versus when you’re at work or school. Taking a pain reliever at this time can also help for a smoother transition.
Carry an Oral Hygiene Kit With You
Clear aligners are great when they’re exactly that, clear. If they are not cared for properly, the plastic will accumulate bacteria and stain thus ruining their nearly invisible appearance.
One way to avoid this outcome is to keep a small oral care kit on hand wherever you go. Having a separate toothbrush, tube of toothpaste, floss, and retainer case will do wonders. These supplies in a bag or purse will make the task of much easier when you’re out of the house.
When cleaning, remember to:
- Quickly rinse aligners under lukewarm water (never hot) after they are removed from your mouth.
- Use your soft-bristled toothbrush and a small amount of toothpaste (non-whitening and non-abrasive) or clear antibacterial soap to get rid of any food bits that may have stuck around from an earlier meal.
- Carefully brush the inside and outside of the top and bottom aligner. Be sure to also brush your teeth at this time.
- Give them another rinse after you’re done brushing.
- Place back in your mouth or inside their protective case when not in use.
Use a Timer After Taking Out Your Aligners
You might not think about utilizing the timer on your phone for clear aligner treatment but there’s a good reason for deciding to do so. With Invisalign clear aligners, you must wear them for at least 20-22 hours a day. That leaves a few hours where you can eat or drink what you’d like, brush your teeth, and floss.
After that time is up, however, the dental aligners should be back in your mouth and that includes the hours spent sleeping. To make sure you don’t forget to put your aligners back in place, set your timer once they’re out. Hearing it ring later will hold you accountable and keep your treatment on track. You might even become efficient enough that you keep good time on your own!
Try a Tray Removal Tool
The best way to remove your aligners for eating or oral hygiene is to use your nails to get under the plastic and lift it off of your teeth. The problem is, not everyone wants to put their fingers in their mouth or chip their nail polish all the time.
Available for order online, certain clear aligner removal tools like the PULTOOL®, Outie, and OrthoKey all make the task of removing your set of custom aligners easier than ever and more hygienic. No more reaching into your mouth at work or school! Typically, tools of this nature are designed with a hook at one end and a notch on the other.
The hook is placed over the edge of your aligner and as you gently lift, it removes the aligner from your teeth. The notch can also be used to dislodge clear aligner trays. The key is finding a tool that works for you and asking our local Invisalign dentists if you have any questions regarding your treatment. Clear aligners for adults or teens; we’re here for you no matter what.
Schedule an Invisalign Consultation
Our Invisalign dentists in Cooper City, FL, know that you’ll do just fine with these handy tips and may even discover some on your own that work well. If you haven’t started treatment yet and are interested in getting the ball rolling, call Cooper City Family Dentistry today at (954) 252-8257 or contact us online to book a consultation.
