Are you ready to begin your journey to a straight smile using Invisalign? That’s great! You’re making a wise decision for your self-esteem and oral health. Since you’ll be using clear aligners to move your teeth, you won’t need to worry about brushing and flossing around brackets and wires. That doesn’t mean you can skip your oral hygiene routine. In fact, brushing and flossing are more important than ever to avoid any delays in your treatment plan. Here’s how to best care for your aligners to safeguard your smile against any potential complications.
Caring for Clear Aligners
Although you’ll take your aligners out when eating and drinking, food residue and bacteria can linger on your teeth. Popping them right back into your mouth after finishing your meal will cause bacteria to get trapped between your teeth and the plastic, which can cause decay and unpleasant odors. Not only can it affect the health of your teeth but also the transparency of your aligners. You can keep the issues at bay by:
- Taking your aligners out in the morning. You’ll need to wear your aligners for at least 22 hours per day, which means they’ll be in your mouth while you’re sleeping. Bacteria can accumulate on them during the night. It’s best to remove them when you wake up in the morning while also performing your regular oral hygiene routine before starting your day.
- Rinsing your aligners before wearing them. You’ll have to remove your aligners when eating or drinking anything except water. Before putting them back in your mouth, rinse your aligners with clean water. If you have a few minutes, use clear antibacterial soap for a better clean.
- Soaking your aligners daily. You should use a soft-bristled toothbrush and clear antibacterial soap to clean your aligners at least after every meal. You’ll also want to soak them at night using a denture cleaner or Invisalign cleaning crystals daily.
- Improving your brushing and flossing routine. Besides brushing and flossing in the morning and night, you’ll also need to before putting your aligners in your mouth, like after eating.
- Keeping your aligners in their storage case. Never leave your aligners out in the open because they can be exposed to bacteria. Not to mention, it’s easy to misplace them. Get in the habit of always keeping them in their storage case when they aren’t in your mouth.
Discreet Solution for a Straight Smile
When compared to metal braces, clear aligners are easy and convenient to maintain. Committing a few extra minutes to daily your oral hygiene routine allows you to enjoy a discreet, convenient solution to achieve the beautiful smile you deserve.
About Dr. Luke Lumpkin
Dr. Lumpkin earned his dental degree over a decade ago at the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry. He is an active member of various professional organizations, including the Academy of General Dentistry and the American Dental Association. If you’re interested in Invisalign, he can help. Contact our office today for an appointment.