16 Jun How to Use and Maintain Invisalign Aligners- 7 Top Tips

Smiling offers many benefits, such as increased mood and decreased stress. Using Invisalign aligners to straighten your teeth is a great option for both teenagers and adults. Invisalign offers you an opportunity to achieve a brighter smile with transparency from a trusted system. 

However, Invisalign technology is different from traditional braces in that the aligners are removable. What is the best way to care for your aligners to ensure your success with Invisalign? What are your responsibilities?

If you’re considering getting Invisalign to straighten crooked teeth, here are 7 Invisalign tips you need to know to care for your aligners during treatment.

1. Cleaning Your Aligners

One of the best things you can do is keep your aligners clean. You wear your Invisalign aligners for 22 hours at a time, taking a two-hour break for eating, drinking, and teeth brushing. Over time, bacteria can build up in your aligners and cause damage to your teeth. 

A good rule is to clean them twice a day, preferably when you’re brushing your teeth. Use a soft-bristle toothbrush and toothpaste to gently scrub the inside and outside of your aligners and rinse with water. Be sure to wash your hands before and after to prevent the spread of bacteria. 

There are specially formulated tablets that work to cleanse your aligners if you choose to go that route. 

2. Stick to Instructions

The success of Invisalign depends greatly on your ability to wear your aligners as prescribed. Wearing them continually for the recommended time will result in your treatment being completed on time. 

Getting used to your aligners takes time, but it’s necessary to ensure that you receive the full benefits of the treatment. Your orthodontist will instruct you on how to insert and remove your aligners. 

3. Maintain Oral Health

One of the benefits of Invisalign is that because the aligners are removable, you can clean your teeth fully. Although metal braces help shift teeth, sometimes it can be challenging to remove all the food particles that become lodged in the brackets. Failure to properly remove all the food particles can result in tooth decay or other dental issues. 

Continuing your routine of brushing and flossing your teeth is essential to keeping your teeth healthy. It’s much easier to do this with Invisalign because you have full access to your teeth. 

4. Eating The “Right” Foods

When you have metal braces, you may have a laundry list of foods you need to avoid, like sticky candies or hard foods that might break your brackets. 

Even though there may not be any food restrictions with Invisalign because they’re removable, if you have other brackets in your mouth, it’s important to avoid these foods as well. Your orthodontist may suggest that you stay away from dark liquids like coffee, tea, or wine because they can stain your aligners and your teeth. Soda contains tons of sugar and may cause tooth decay, so avoiding this sugary drink may be necessary during your treatment as well. 

5. Keep Your Appointments

The treatment timeframe for patients with Invisalign will vary due to each person’s case. Some treatments take a few months, while others take a couple of years.

Keeping up with your appointments is essential to making sure your treatment stays on track. When you start the Invisalign process, your orthodontist will create a treatment plan for you consisting of how to shift your teeth and what aligners to use in each phase. 

At each appointment, your orthodontist will check your progress and give you new aligners for the next phase. This happens every 4-6 weeks, depending on your plan. If you do not keep your appointments on time, you lengthen your treatment and miss opportunities to get your new set of aligners. 

6. Keep Your Trays Close

When you get your aligners, your orthodontist will give you trays to keep them in when you take them out for eating, drinking, or brushing. It’s important that when you are away from home, you carry your case with you. Exposing your aligners to the environment around you means exposing them to germs as well, so keep them confined to their trays when you’re not wearing them.

Another reason to keep your trays close is, so you don’t lose your aligners. When aligners become lost, you need to replace them, and that can become expensive quickly if losing them becomes a habit. 

Also, cleaning your trays regularly will keep bacteria at bay. The bacteria that are in your mouth may build up in your trays, and that isn’t good for the aligners or your teeth. Your orthodontist will instruct you on the best way to care for your trays as well. 

7. Post-Treatment

Once your treatment with Invisalign aligners comes to a close, you might be surprised to learn that your treatment isn’t completely over. Post-treatment usually includes wearing retainers for a time to ensure that your teeth stay in place.

Because everyone’s treatment is different, the time you wear your retainers will depend on your need. Generally speaking, most people wear their retainers for several months to discourage the teeth from shifting. 

Invisalign Aligners: Are They Right For You?

Invisalign aligners are a great way to get the smile you want without metal brackets and less noticeability. They’re comfortable and can help you feel confident during your treatment. Your responsibility is key to the success of your treatment, and these Invisalign tips will help you get there!

Are you looking for an Invisalign provider in the San Diego area? We’ve got you covered! Contact our website today to schedule a free consultation.