People looking to improve their smile without having to get metal braces often ask, “How does Invisalign work?” after they hear about the treatment. Invisalign employs a series of clear aligners to gently move a patient’s teeth into proper position over time. Whereas braces can cause a person pain for weeks or longer, any discomfort caused by Invisalign aligners typically dissipates on its own within days.
While Invisalign treatment is discreet and comfortable compared to traditional braces, there are still some things you can do to make your treatment even more bearable. Also known as hacks, our tips will help you enjoy your Invisalign treatment more than you might without them.
Use a Timer
In general, people undergoing Invisalign treatment are advised to wear their aligners for 22 hours per day. To attain your best smile, it’s vital that you adhere to that guideline as often as possible. Using a timer to keep track of how long you wear your aligners each day can help you abide by the 22 hours per day “rule.”
Switch to New Aligners Before Bedtime
During your Invisalign treatment, you’ll receive a new set of aligners every two weeks or so. When you’re ready to switch to a new set, it’s advisable to make the transition before you go to bed. By doing so, you’ll allow your aligners to do their initial round of work uninterrupted overnight.
Avoid Reinserting Aligners After Eating without Brushing First
One of the many reasons people choose Invisalign for teeth straightening is that the aligners used are clear and barely noticeable to onlookers if they can be seen at all. To ensure your aligners remain nearly invisible, you should never put your aligners back in your mouth without brushing your teeth first. If you put your aligners back in before you brush, they may become stained by any food remnants that are still in your mouth.
Similarly, you should wait until after you brush to put your aligners back on after you drink anything other than water. If your aligners trap food or traces of liquids like orange juice, you may experience avoidable cavities.
Clean Your Aligners While You Eat
For the best results and to ensure you wear your aligners for the recommended 22 hours per day, it’s generally advisable to remove your aligners only when you eat or consume beverages besides water. Because you’ll only be without your aligners for a few hours daily, it’s a good idea to clean them while you’re eating so you can maximize the time you actually wear them.
No matter which problem you’re using Invisalign to treat, cleaning your aligners is a breeze. You can use diluted mouthwash, denture cleaner, or the cleaning solution available from your Invisalign dentist or orthodontist.
Get in Touch with Our Charlotte, NC Office
Want more Invisalign hacks? Contact Clearsmile Orthodontics for more tips and tricks. Do you want to see if Invisalign treatment is right for you? Get in touch with our office on South Boulevard to schedule a consultation with one of our Invisalign orthodontists now!