It’s not a great haircut, a killer outfit, or even someone’s height. Instead, close to 30% of Americans say that teeth are the first thing they notice when meeting someone new.
If you’d like to straighten your teeth, but want to avoid the look and inconvenience of traditional metal braces, then perhaps you’ve thought about getting clear Invisalign aligners.
In order to get the best possible results, you need to understand how to care for and properly wear your Invisalign.
Read on to learn what you need to know.
Cleaning Your Invisalign
To clean your Invisalign, use either cleaning solutions provided by Invisalign, a retainer cleaner that your orthodontist says is OK, or clear antibacterial soap.
Use a toothbrush to clean them at least twice a day, and rinse them out before putting them back in throughout the day (usually after meals.)
Make sure that you brush the aligners gently, as using too much force can crack or scratch them.
You should also talk to your orthodontist about getting some of the soaking solution created by Invisalign. Try to soak them at minimum a few times a week.
Eating and Invisalign: The Rules
The biggest rule when wearing Invisalign is that you should always remove them when you’re eating.
You should also take them out when you’re drinking anything other than water. Remember that coffee, tea, and sodas can easily stain your aligners.
When you eat with the aligners in, hard foods could cause them to crack or become damaged in some way. The real risk comes, however, because eating with trays in makes it easy for food particles and other bacteria to get stuck in the tray.
This can lead to serious oral health problems, like gingivitis and cavities.
Make sure that you brush your teeth after every meal, before putting your aligners back in.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Let’s quickly go over some of the most common mistakes people make when it comes to Invisalign wear and care.
First of all, when you’re not wearing your aligners, they should always be placed in their case. This prevents dangerous bacteria from building up in the trays.
Also, refrain from using toothpaste and colored or scented liquid soaps to clean your Invisalign. Doing so can cause discoloration, bad tastes in the mouth, and damage from certain ingredients.
You should also only wash your Invisalign with lukewarm or cool water to prevent the aligners from becoming warped from the heat.
Many people also run into problems when they travel (especially for weeks at a time) while wearing Invisalign.
If you’re planning a trip, make sure that you have the correct aligners with you. You’ll likely need to bring the next set in addition to your current one, so talk to your orthodontist about making it happen.
Ensure that you always bring a traveling case to prevent them from breaking, and make it a point to stick to the cleaning rules as much as is possible.
Is Invisalign Right for You?
Now that you know how to properly care for your Invisalign aligners, you can make a better decision about whether or not they’re right for you.
Looking for an orthodontist who can answer all of your questions? Want to get a better understanding of all your options when it comes to straightening your teeth?
Schedule your appointment with us today to learn more about how we can improve your smile.