Invisalign is an increasingly popular alternative to traditional metal braces for correcting dental issues like overbites and gaps. While both options can certainly yield an improved smile at the end of treatment, using Invisalign clear aligners instead of conventional metal braces doesn’t require you to make any significant lifestyle changes. For example, you won’t have to avoid certain foods or wear a custom mouth guard when you play contact sports.
Although you won’t have to modify your lifestyle like you would with metal braces, undergoing Invisalign treatment does require you to be vigilant about your oral hygiene. While that may sound intimidating, it isn’t. In fact, you won’t even have to change the way you brush or floss your teeth as you would with braces.
Brush and Floss Your Teeth First
While it’s recommended that a typical patient wear their Invisalign aligners at least 20-22 hours per day, you still have to remove your aligners whenever you eat or drink something besides water. To keep your teeth in good shape, it’s vital that you brush and floss your teeth before you put your Invisalign clear aligners back into your mouth.
To make sure you can brush on the go, it’s wise to take a travel toothbrush and some toothpaste with you if you’re going to eat out. If that’s not possible or you forget them at home, you should at least swish your teeth clean with some water prior to reinserting your aligners.
Limit Your Intake of Foods and Beverages That Cause Stains
Even though there are no restrictions on what you can eat or drink during your Invisalign treatment, you can still do yourself a favor and limit how much you consume when it comes to stain-causing foods and beverages. Here are some of the things you may want to think twice about consuming to prevent your teeth—or your aligners—from becoming stained:
- Coffee
- Tea
- Soda
- Wine
- Acidic fruits like grapefruit
- Juice
- Soy sauce
Brush Your Aligners Properly
Just like you’ll need to brush your teeth throughout your treatment (and beyond), you’ll have to brush your Invisalign aligners as well. While your aligners are tough enough to handle the day’s events, they require special care when brushing. You need to brush your aligners lightly but thoroughly and you should avoid using toothpaste on them, especially whitening toothpaste or toothpaste that includes baking soda.
Use an Invisalign Cleaning Kit
When you talk to our resident Invisalign orthodontist Dr. Colin Webb, he’ll explain how easy it is to maintain your aligners in good condition by using an Invisalign cleaning kit. These kits will deep clean your Invisalign aligners and ensure they’re ready for the day ahead. If you’re out of kits, you can clean your aligners by putting them in a glass of water along with a denture cleaning tablet.
Store Your Invisalign Aligners in a Case
When you’re not wearing your Invisalign clear aligners, it’s crucial for you to store them in a case. If you lay them on a table or sink, they can pick up germs and bacteria which will then wind up in your mouth. When you’re a patient at Clearsmile Orthodontics, we’ll give you a case you can use to stow your Invisalign aligners.
For more hygiene tips, give us a call or stop by our office today.