Invisalign® is an effective orthodontic treatment that can effectively straighten your teeth, but in order to achieve the best results, it’s important to take good care of your aligner trays. In addition to dedicated care for the trays and your smile, there are also steps to take after the treatment is complete.
Caring For Your Aligners
One of the most important ways to care for your aligners is with daily cleaning. This can be done at the same time as your regular oral hygiene routine. To properly clean your aligners, use a soft toothbrush to gently remove food debris from the tray. Next, wash the aligners with antibacterial soap, and then rinse. Your dentist may also offer cleansing crystals, which are specially designed to clean aligner trays.
In addition to rinsing away food particles, there are other considerations to make which will help maintain your aligners:
- As a rule, it’s always best to stick to water when undergoing orthodontic treatment. Avoid beverages that contain artificial dyes, which can leave stains.
- Always remove your aligners before enjoying meals and hot beverages. Heat can distort the shape of your clear braces, which makes them less effective and may even disrupt your treatment.
- Avoid chewing gum of any kind when wearing aligners.
- Store aligners safely when they are not in use. Make sure they’re in a secure case, and out of reach of children and pets.
What to Expect After Invisalign
The average Invisalign treatment takes around 12 months to complete. Once the treatment is complete, it is still necessary to wear a retainer in order to preserve your new alignment. Generally, this means wearing the retainer continuously for the first six months after treatment. After that, the retainer should be worn every night while you sleep.
Some tooth alignment issues are more difficult to address than others; for instance, gaps between teeth, as well as twisted or rotated teeth, have a tendency to shift back to their original position. This means it’s especially important to use a retainer if you were treated for this kind of issue.
Contact Your Dentist for More Advice!
For great results from your Invisalign treatment, it’s important to take care of your aligner trays and to continue with good oral care long after the treatment is over. For advice and information about any aspect of Invisalign treatment, call our team at Total Family Dental Group!