How to Ensure a Successful Treatment
Since they’re removable, Invisalign makes it easy to care for your aligners. However, it’s still crucial to keep a few things in mind if you want to avoid setting back your treatment.
Explore our guide to learn some helpful tips from Dr. Grussmark on maintaining your aligners.
Meal Times
One major drawback of traditional braces is that the metal wires prevent you from enjoying certain foods. They also offer an easy trap for food crumbs and other bacteria, making it difficult to keep your braces clean.
Invisalign aligners are removable so you can take them out before meals, allowing you to eat and drink without restrictions. You also won’t have to worry about getting food stuck in your aligners.
In order for your treatment to succeed, you’ll need to wear your aligners for 20 to 22 hours per day. This gives you plenty of time to enjoy three meals a day, though you’ll need to refrain from too much snacking.
While you may need to adjust your habits a little at first, you’ll find that eating with Invisalign is easy and convenient.
Cleaning Your Aligners
To maintain your aligners, remove and clean them every morning when you wake up and every night before you go to bed. You can clean the aligners by soaking them or lightly brushing them with a mild soap. It’s also crucial to brush your teeth after meals before putting your aligners back in.
For the best results, we recommend the Invisalign Cleaning System. Simply place your aligners in a case filled with warm water and customized cleaning crystals, then gently shake the case for 20 seconds. After letting your aligners soak for 15 minutes, gently shake the case for another 20 seconds and rinse them off to complete the process.
Common Mistakes
Unfortunately, some patients don’t follow instructions and end up damaging their aligners as a result. To help you prevent this from occurring, we’ve listed some common mistakes below:
- Don’t eat or drink with your aligners in (except water)
- Don’t use toothpaste, mouthwash, or any rough or colored soap on your aligners
- Don’t remove your aligners for more than 4 hours per day
- Don’t put your aligners back in after meals until you’ve brushed your teeth
- Don’t leave your aligners in the open when you’re not wearing them
Frequently Asked Questions
If I have existing restorations, such as crowns and bridges, can I get Invisalign?
If you have existing restorations, you may still be a good candidate for Invisalign. Whether or not we can straighten your teeth with Invisalign depends on several factors, such as the type of restoration you have and your smile goals.
While we typically don’t have any issues with crowns, dental bridges can be resistant to movement. The best way to know if you’re a candidate is to schedule a free consultation with Dr. Grussmark.
During the consultation, Dr. Grussmark will examine your mouth to determine if you’re a candidate for Invisalign. If he decides that Invisalign isn’t the best treatment option for you, Dr. Grussmark can recommend alternative options, such as traditional braces.
When should I not wear my aligners?
Because your aligners should be worn 20 to 22 hours a day, it’s best to only remove them at certain times. Instances where you should remove your aligners include:
- Mealtimes
- Drinking something other than water
- Brushing and flossing your teeth
- Using mouthwash
- Cleaning or soaking your aligners
Failure to remove your aligners at these times can result in complications that set you back on your treatment plan. You may damage the aligners, or invite bacteria to gather in your mouth.
You should leave your aligners in while bathing, sleeping, exercising, and doing other daily activities. As long as you take proper care of your aligners and wear them for at least 20 hours a day, you’ll be right on track with your treatment plan.
What can I use to clean my aligners?
Along with maintaining good oral hygiene, your aligners will need to be cleaned every day to avoid the risk of them collecting bacteria. Failing to clean your aligners properly before you put them back on can lead to bad breath, mouth sores, and infection.
You can use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a gentle formula or all-purpose toothpaste to lightly brush your aligners. A children’s toothpaste would also work well, but be sure to avoid harsher kinds of toothpaste that may damage your aligners.
We recommend the cleaning crystals designed for your trays as an efficient method of keeping your aligners clean. Refer to our previous section “Cleaning Your Aligners” for more information about the Invisalign Cleaning System.
What can’t I use to clean my aligners?
As for what you should avoid when cleaning your aligners, we recommend keeping your trays away from:
- Mouthwashes
- Whitening toothpaste
- Hot water
- Colored antibacterial soap
These substances may damage or stain your aligners, setting you back on your treatment plan. It’s best to follow the cleaning instructions Dr. Grussmark gives you to ensure your aligners will most effectively straighten your teeth.
Ask Dr. Grussmark for Invisalign Care Tips
If you follow the tips we’ve listed above, you’ll achieve the spectacular results you expect without any issues. Call our office in Brickell at 786-563-4973 and schedule a free consultation with Dr. Grussmark today.