Tips For New Invisalign Patients

If you’re looking to straighten your teeth, but don’t want to deal with metal wires and brackets, then Invisalign is a great option for you. Invisalign is clear and removable, which means you can straighten your teeth without anyone even knowing it’s happening. The aligners will gradually shift your teeth into place, and you’ll be able to see what your smile will look like before you even begin treatment. However, if you have already started with your Invisalign treatment or soon going to start one, here are some tips for you.

Clean Your Teeth

Brush your teeth at least twice a day. If you’re wearing Invisalign aligners, brushing your teeth is essential. Invisalign aligners are removable, but you still need to keep your teeth and gums clean.

Flossing

Invisalign patients must still floss at least once each day. Your Invisalign aligners can’t reach all of the crevices and hidden spots in the mouth, so it’s important to clean these spaces with dental floss. Use about 18 inches of floss for this cleaning, wrapping it around each of your middle fingers. Use a clean section of floss for each tooth.

Wearing Your Aligners

Like with braces, you should wear Invisalign aligners for 22 hours every day. Wearing your aligners for the recommended amount of time each day will help ensure your treatment goes as smoothly as possible.

During your treatment, you should only remove your aligners when you’re eating or drinking. That means no chewing gum or eating popcorn. You should also be sure to keep your aligners away from pets and children.

Once your treatment is complete, you’ll need to wear your retainers every night. This will help keep your teeth in their new positions.

Cleaning Your Aligners

It’s a good idea to clean your teeth and rinse your aligners before putting them back in your mouth. This helps remove food debris, bacteria, and plaque.

You can clean your aligners by gently brushing them with toothpaste and a toothbrush. Rinse them with warm water, and then wipe them down with a cloth.

Avoiding Certain Foods and Drinks

Avoid eating hard or sticky foods for the first few days of Invisalign treatment. These foods could knock your aligner out of place. And avoid chewing on hard objects, such as pens or ice cubes, because they can damage your aligner.

For the first few days, stick to soft foods, such as yogurt, soup, or applesauce. Avoid drinking beverages other than water.

Visiting Your Dentist Regularly

On average, it is recommended that Invisalign patients visit the office every two weeks or as suggested by your dentist. However, you will need to visit your dentist for about six weeks for checkups to ensure that your teeth are moving as expected.

At Vida Dentistry, we offer Invisalign to help you achieve a straight smile. To learn more, call (949) 209-8889, visit us at 25270 Marguerite Pkwy Suite C, Mission Viejo, CA 92692, or send us an email at vidadentistry@gmail.com.