In 2018, over 1.3 million people started using Invisalign.
Invisalign has upended the orthodontics industry. If you’re just starting, here are some Invisalign tips and tricks that might help you during your first week with the product.
Straightening your teeth without having to use braces is the dream of anyone who has ever had them. Invisalign started over 20 years ago and has since moved into the forefront of dental technology. They have grown based upon the premise that a good smile doesn’t require braces to achieve straight teeth.
Invisalign Tips and Tricks
When you first begin treatment with Invisalign, Dr. Eshom and our Invisalign team will have directions for you. In the first 48 hours, you can’t remove your Invisalign. After that, there are a few things that dentists agree will help your treatment.
1. Wear Your Invisalign
If you aren’t eating or brushing your teeth, you need to have your Invisalign in. You’re supposed to wear them 22 hours a day but don’t worry about that. Keep them in whenever possible, and do not take them out except for cleaning and eating. If you do that, you won’t forget about them.
Failing to keep the Invisalign in long enough will prolong your treatment. While they aren’t as bad as braces, the goal of having Invisalign is to complete the treatment and get straight teeth. Get used to having them in quickly, so the process is less uncomfortable.
2. Practice Talking With Your Invisalign
When you first start using Invisalign, you’ll notice that speaking with them will give you a little lisp. Don’t worry about the lisp. Practice makes perfect. Continue wearing them and practice speaking before you go into public if you’re bothered by the lisp.
You’ll also notice that as time passes, you can speak more easily with the Invisalign in. Training your body to talk around the Invisalign can save you embarrassment. This is even more important for teens who don’t want to be made fun of.
3. Use Aligner Chewies
Aligner chewies look like small rolls of gauze. They are squishy, and when you bite down on them, they force the aligners tighter against your teeth. This will help reduce the time it takes for your treatment to be completed.
Aligner chewies should be bit down on for at least 5 minutes at a time. You won’t get the benefit if you rush the process. Relax and let the aligner fit snugly against your teeth for maximum performance.
4. Be Careful of the Food You Eat
Food can stain your teeth, and if trapped inside the Invisalign, it could also stain your aligners. This will not only look bad but can cause you problems with getting the smile you want. If you can’t avoid foods that stain teeth, make sure that you brush your teeth and clean your aligners after you eat.
Pay careful attention when you use aligners and avoid drinking staining liquids like coffee and tea. These can easily become trapped inside the aligners, and if you don’t take special care to clean afterward, they’ll stain your teeth faster.
5. Brush a Lot, Use Mouthwash
Dental hygiene is always important, but when you’re using Invisalign, it’s even more important. The reason for this is that the space between your teeth and the aligners is the perfect place for bacteria to grow. When bacteria grow in your mouth, they can cause bad breath and tooth decay.
One of the best Invisalign tips and tricks you can use is to make sure that you increase your attention to dental hygiene.
Make sure to clean the aligners as well. The bacteria that can threaten your teeth can grow on the warm, moist aligner if you don’t take care of it. This is also why you should use mouthwash regularly. Mouthwash kills these germs and helps to keep your breath fresh.
6. Always Keep Your Case With You
When you eat, you’re going to be removing the aligners. If you don’t have their case, you will have to put them on a napkin or your plate. A distraction at this point could cause you to throw out your aligners.
Incorrect storage of your liners can cause more trouble than you’d think. If you don’t keep your older aligners, you’ll be without, and the treatment time you can expect will be increased. The best solution is to keep the case in your pocket at all times. That way, you can just slide the aligners back in their case.
7. Sleep on Your Back
Something that not a lot of people think about is sleep interruption. Not everyone who uses Invisalign experiences it, but many do. Excessive saliva is the problem here, so make sure to sleep in such a way that the saliva drains freely.
If you’re experiencing this problem, try propping your head slightly to allow the saliva to flow back. It won’t take you long to get used to it. Practice breathing through your nose when you’re going to sleep as this will help.
Your Dentist Can Help
If you experience any trouble with your aligners, make sure to speak to us! We are here to help you get through this treatment and get the smile you want. Any questions or concerns you have should be answered by a trained professional.
Study Before You Start Invisalign
Informational videos exist that can help you prepare for your aligners. Make sure that you research the potential side effects and speak about anything that’s concerning to your dentist. At San Diego-Invisalign, our dentists have decades of experience with helping patients undergoing aligner treatment.
Your Smile, Your Life
If you’re ready to straighten out your smile, there is no time like the present. Invisalign tips and tricks can help make the process more bearable while still getting your teeth straight. If you’re in the San Diego area, we’re here to help make your dream a reality. Don’t struggle through another season without the smile you deserve.
Contact us today to schedule your appointment!