How to Keep Your Invisalign Aligners in Good Condition
Invisalign is one of the most recent advancements in the cosmetic dental industry for its ability to adjust the placement of teeth and replace braces.
When it comes to wearing Invisalign to improve your smile, there are a few mistakes and steps to take to avoid damage to the plastic material. As you begin using Invisalign, here are a few dos and don'ts to wearing the aligners.
Do Keep the Aligners Clean
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently clean your Invisalign aligners each day to remove germs and bacteria.
This will reduce the amount of plaque that develops on your teeth, which can reduce the risk of tooth decay that occurs as you maintain your oral health. Cleaning crystals can also be used once each week to deep clean the aligners.
Cleaning the teeth before placing the aligners in your mouth is also necessary to prevent small food particles from becoming trapped in the aligners and sitting on your teeth for several hours during the day.
Do Use a Case
Always store the Invisalign aligners in a case to protect them from damage or getting lost. The transparent material can make them easy to lose, whether you place them on a napkin when you're eating a snack or leave them on your nightstand.
Getting into the habit of storing them in a case can also help them to stay cleaner throughout the week.
Don't Eat While Wearing Invisalign
Many people make the mistake of leaving their aligners in their mouths when eating foods and consuming beverages.
Unfortunately, this can cause damage to the plastic materials because they're not designed to be chewed as you bite into food.
Fortunately, you can still leave them in the mouth when you take sips of water and stay hydrated in-between meals.
Don't Miss Appointments with Your Tempe Dentist
Skipping your dental appointments can lead to delays in the progress that you make with your teeth, and can also add extra fees to the services you're receiving.
Prioritize your visits to ensure you continue to make progress and prevent your aligners from wearing down when you wear them longer than they were designed to be used.
Don’t Expose the Invisalign Trays to Heat
Your Tempe dentist will tell you to avoid placing your Invisalign aligners close to any sources of heat, which can immediately cause the plastic to melt.
Avoid cleaning off the plastic in hot water or boiling the aligners in water to clean them, which can cause them to lose their shape and will prevent them from shifting the placement of your teeth.
This means it’s also necessary to remove them from the mouth if you drink any hot beverages like tea or coffee.
Understanding how to care for your Invisalign aligners and common mistakes to avoid can allow them to last longer.
Avoiding damage and premature wear to the materials can avoid complications and issues as you continue to improve the quality of your smile.
