Modern orthodontics has introduced Invisalign to create a comfortable and subtle way to straighten crooked teeth. This solution appeals to a wide audience of dental patients, and people appreciate the lack of restrictions during the course of treatment compared to traditional braces.
However, Invisalign requires maintenance if you want to get the most out of your treatment and keep your aligners clean. Dr. Kirat Sodhi, an orthodontist located in Irving, TX, offers tips to keep your Invisalign appliances looking their best throughout your treatment.
Remove Invisalign While Eating and Drinking
Traditional teeth straightening treatment with braces usually comes with restrictions to what a patient can eat, which many people find frustrating. Hard, sticky, and chewy foods can damage metal wires and brackets.
Invisalign features clear-colored plastic aligners that can be removed while you eat or drink. This means that you do not have to worry about damaging your orthodontic appliances during mealtimes.
In fact, orthodontists recommend that you take out Invisalign when eating and drinking to reduce the risk of staining agents in foods affecting your aligners. This also prevents food particles from getting stuck in your appliance and lingering on your teeth, potentially harming your tooth enamel.
Continue Practicing Good Oral Hygiene
Plaque forms over your teeth every day thanks to natural bacteria in your mouth. It will continue to develop as you undergo orthodontic treatment with Invisalign. You practice oral hygiene to remove plaque build-up, and you should do the same throughout the teeth straightening process.
This entails brushing teeth twice per day, flossing on a daily basis, and visiting your dentist for routine cleanings. By keeping your smile clean, you can prevent dental damage, like tooth decay, from interfering with your orthodontic treatment.
You should remove your aligners when completing your oral hygiene regimen so that you can clean your teeth without disruption. This feature is another advantage of choosing Invisalign to align your smile.
Rinse and Brush Aligners Separately
You should clean your Invisalign with a separate regimen than the rest of your mouth if you want to keep your aligners looking and feeling their best. While your aligners are not vulnerable to decay, they can still gather plaque that could spread to your teeth or stain the plastic material.
You should brush your aligners gently at the same time as you complete your oral hygiene routine. You should also rinse your aligners before replacing them in your mouth after removing them while eating.
Invisalign should be worn 22 hours each day for optimal results. Regular cleaning can make sure these devices do not hinder your smile during your treatment.
Straighten Your Smile with Invisalign in Irving, TX
Define Orthodontics offers Invisalign, braces, and other orthodontic treatments to patients of all ages in Irving, TX. Dr. Sodhi can help patients straighten crooked teeth and realign their bites for improved appearance and function in their smiles. To schedule a consultation with our practice, contact our staff online or reach us by phone at 972.853.5770.