Misaligned teeth can significantly impact your appearance, speech, and bite function while also increasing the risk of tooth damage, decay, and gum disease. Invisalign offers a discreet alternative to traditional metal braces, allowing you to align your bite without needing unsightly brackets and wires.
Invisalign employs clear, custom-made, removable aligners as a contemporary orthodontic treatment. These clear aligners gradually straighten your teeth and align your bite, providing a more comfortable and convenient solution than traditional braces.
Though highly effective, proper oral hygiene and diligent habits are essential to maintain the aligners and ensure optimal oral health. By practicing good oral care and following our guidance, you can keep both your aligners and mouth in excellent condition, reducing the risk of any potential complications.
Discover The Secrets To Achieving a Picture-Perfect Smile With Invisalign!
Brush and floss daily
Whether you’re wearing Invisalign or not, daily brushing and flossing are essential to remove food leftovers, plaque, and bacteria from the teeth and mouth. It’s even more important to brush and floss regularly if you wear Invisalign, as Invisalign can trap bacteria and other debris, leading to decay and gum disease.
Dental experts recommend brushing at least twice daily for about two minutes each time. It helps remove all the debris and plaque buildup on teeth, gums, and tongue, preventing plaque buildup. Flossing at least once daily helps remove debris and bacteria deep between teeth, reducing your risk of plaque and oral infections.
Consider a soft-bristled electric brush, floss threader or water floss, and fluoride-based toothpaste to brush and floss effectively. Avoid abrasive dental products as they can erode and irritate your gums, increasing your risk of oral infections.
Invisalign brushing and flossing
As part of your Invisalign oral hygiene, you must also regularly clean your aligners. Not cleaning them can attract bacteria and plaque accumulation on the aligners, leading to bad breath, decay, gum infection, and other issues, compromising your treatment.
Begin by rinsing your Invisalign with warm water. Then, gently brush them with a soft-bristled brush and mild toothpaste or soap. Avoid hard-bristled toothbrushes, abrasive toothpaste, or hot water, as they can damage the aligners, making them uncomfortable and inefficient.
Remove your aligners when eating or drinking
You must always remove your Invisalign aligners when eating or drinking anything other than water. Chewing with your Invisalign aligners can cause them to get damaged or trap food debris, making you especially prone to decay and gum disease.
Hot beverages like coffee and tea can cause your Invisalign trays to warp, affecting their fit and effectiveness. Similarly, drinking and eating colored foods and drinks with Invisalign can cause them to discolor or cause teeth stains, significantly impacting your aesthetics.
Rinse or brush before reinstalling your aligners
After eating or drinking, rinse or clean your mouth thoroughly before putting back the aligners. It helps remove or reduce any food leftovers or debris from teeth and maintains a fresh and healthy environment for Invisalign.
Wearing the aligners without cleaning your mouth can encourage bacteria and plaque between your teeth and the aligners, leading to bad breath, teeth sensitivity, and gum infections.
Stay hydrated
Drinking enough water throughout the day, especially after meals, helps wash away bacteria and debris in the mouth and maintains good oral health. Drinking water also helps prevent a dry mouth, reducing your risk of oral infections during Invisalign treatment.
Eat a proper diet
Eating foods rich in essential nutrients like calcium and vitamins can help promote healthy and strong teeth and gums. However, avoiding sugary and acidic foods is important as they can erode your teeth, leading to sensitivity and decay, compromising your Invisalign treatment.
Attend regular dental checkups
Routine dental checkups are crucial for maintaining good oral health, especially during Invisalign treatment. During these appointments, the dentist will cleanse your mouth and aligners to remove bacterial and plaque buildup, lowering your risk of infections. The dentist will guage your oral health and Invisalign treatment and make any treatments or adjustments as necessary.
Handle your Invisalign with care
Proper Invisalign care is essential for maintaining a healthier, straighter, and functional smile. When cleaning your Invisalign, handle them carefully and avoid damaging habits like throwing them. Please keep the aligners in a clean and dry case to minimize damage when not wearing them. If damaged, notify your dentist immediately for a replacement.
Follow your dentist’s instructions
Follow your dentist’s instructions for wearing your aligners and oral care with Invisalign. It will ensure the best results for your treatment and promote overall oral health.
Are you interested in Invisalign Clear Aligners in Sugar Land, TX?
Are you interested in Invisalign treatment? Or do you want to learn more about Invisalign, dental hygiene, and taking care of your oral health? Call and book a dentist appointment at Bella Smiles Cosmetic and Family Dentistry to schedule your appointment today.