There’s a lot to love about Invisalign®. After all, it came on the scene with a game-changing approach to teeth straightening — no painful metal wires and brackets required!
Instead, Invisalign uses removable aligner trays to shift your teeth a little at a time, and they do it discreetly, thanks to their clear design. Best yet? Since they’re removable, it makes eating and oral hygiene a snap.
It’s hard to beat the appeal of Invisalign. However, they still come with a few rules you have to follow if you want to get the most out of your tooth straightening treatment plan.
If you’ve made the decision to try Invisalign, book a consultation with Supertooth™, with locations in Bethesda, Gaithersburg, and Germantown, Maryland. As general and cosmetic dental specialists, our team recommends Invisalign for people with mild-to-moderate teeth alignment needs.
To start you on your Invisalign journey, we scan your teeth and make your first series of trays. Then, it’s up to you to follow the treatment plan to guarantee optimal results. Our team shared these five ways to make the most of your Invisalign treatment.
First and foremost, an essential difference between Invisalign and conventional braces is that you can remove your clear aligner trays. In fact, you have to remove them to eat and drink as well as when you brush and floss your teeth.
However, that can also quickly lead to problems if you remove your trays too often. To get results, you need to wear your aligners 20-22 hours each day. This is non-negotiable — any less wear time, and it could extend your treatment period.
In most cases, you receive a series of several trays at each dental visit. At this appointment, we provide instructions on when to switch to the next tray in your treatment plan.
Following this schedule is an integral part of your treatment plan. The proprietary Invisalign material enables a tray to place the precise amount of force on your teeth that makes them move. However, you need to use a series of trays in the correct order to reach the maximum adjustment.
It may be tempting to sneak a sip of coffee on your way to work or school, but that’s a problem waiting to happen.
When you wear your aligners, water is the only safe food or drink to consume. Other beverages, like coffee, tea, and soda, can seep in behind your trays, staining your aligners. When this occurs, they’re no longer an invisible alignment system.
Brushing and flossing around braces can be a huge pain, but Invisalign poses few problems. All you do is pop them out before you eat or drink, clean your teeth like usual, and replace the aligner tray.
However, practicing good oral hygiene is crucial because the trays can trap and hold food particles against your teeth. Without proper cleaning, this can accelerate the conditions that cause decay.
Practicing good oral hygiene doesn’t stop with your teeth and gums — it extends to your Invisalign trays, too. But don’t worry; it’s easy! Simply remove your aligners whenever you eat or drink, and brush and rinse them whenever you clean your teeth.
Along with these tips, be sure to follow the instructions outlined by our team. Taking these steps ensures that your treatment is successful and stays on schedule from Day One. Remember, Invisalign makes improving your smile easier and more comfortable than ever. But you still play an active role in making your treatment a success.
Start your journey to an Invisalign smile by consulting with our experts at Supertooth™. Contact the office nearest you by phone to schedule your first appointment today.
