At your first Invisalign appointment, you might feel a bit of information overload. Don’t worry – the transition to life with clear aligners is pretty easy since you don’t have to change your diet or your oral hygiene regimen. That said, it’s always a good idea to keep these important Invisalign do’s and don’ts in mind to ensure you stay on-track with your treatment plan!
1. Do Wear Your Aligners for 22 Hours a Day
In order to stay on-track with your treatment plan and, in turn, see the results sooner rather than later, you need to wear your aligners for 20-22 hours a day. Having a few hours aligner-free every day may seem like a lot at first, but it quickly dwindles down when you factor in time for meals, snacks, and oral hygiene. The best thing to do is set a designated amount of time for each meal and track your wear time with the stopwatch on your phone so you know you are meeting the mark every day.
2. Don’t Use Hot Water to Clean Your Trays
If you don’t clean your trays regularly, then your once-clear aligners will begin to discolor, making your teeth look yellow in the process. That’s why it’s so important to adopt good habits, like rinsing your trays each time you take them off. Just make sure to always check the temperature of the water first. If it’s too hot, then the plastic will warp, negatively impacting your treatment.
3. Do Brush Your Teeth After Each Meal
Since the aligners are removable, you won’t have to worry about completely altering your oral hygiene regimen during your Invisalign treatment. That said, there is one change we recommend: brushing your teeth after each meal, including lunch. This will clear away food particles, plaque, and other debris before you put your trays back on, which will help keep your aligners clear and your teeth decay-free.
4. Don’t Drink Coffee with Your Aligners In
You may already know that you should remove your aligners before eating, but do you need to take them out before drinking coffee? The short answer is “yes!” Although it may seem more convenient to keep them on, doing so can cause them to warp and discolor. Simply put, you should enjoy this caffeinated beverage alongside your breakfast or lunch to avoid unwanted complications and delays.
5. Do Prioritize Your Check-In Visits
Instead of coming in every two weeks for your next set of aligners, you’ll be given several sets at a time, allowing you to progress through your treatment plan at home. Of course, that doesn’t mean that these appointments are any less important. In reality, each and every one is crucial because it allows your dental team to track the movement of your teeth, ensure everything is progressing as anticipated, and answer any questions you have.
About the Practice
At My Ellicott City Dentist, our friendly and highly trained dental team is here to help you on your journey to your absolute best smile. If that involves Invisalign, then you can have peace of mind knowing we will go the extra mile to make the road to straight teeth as smooth as possible. If you’re ready to schedule a consultation to take the next step forward, then visit our website or call (410) 480-2000.