Tips for New Invisalign Patients

Invisalign is a straightening system that uses a series of clear, custom-molded aligners to move your teeth into their proper place gradually. Invisalign is a more discreet way to straighten your teeth. You don’t have to worry about your treatment or smile being noticed by other people. You can straighten your teeth without other people even knowing! If you recently got your Invisalign aligner or soon planning to get one, here are some tips you can keep in your mind.

Practice Proper Oral Hygiene

Your aligners need to be cleaned daily. Your dentist will provide you set of cleaning crystals, which you can use to keep your teeth free of plaque and bacteria. It’s also important to brush and floss your teeth as you normally would.

Wear the Aligners for at least 22 hours Per Day

In order to get the best results from Invisalign, it’s important to wear the aligners as often as possible. Depending on your treatment plan, this means wearing them for about 22 hours a day.

The aligners should only be removed for eating, drinking, brushing, and flossing.

Remove your Aligners Before Eating or Drinking

The aligners are removable, so patients must remove them while eating or drinking. However, certain beverages, like coffee, tea, or soda, can stain the plastic. Drinking these beverages while wearing the aligners will weaken their adhesives and affect the fit.

Patients can avoid this by brushing their teeth before putting the aligners back in. They can also rinse the aligners or soak them in a diluted mouthwash before putting them in.

Brush and Floss After Each Meal

You will begin wearing a new set of aligners (typically every week). It is important to continue brushing and flossing after each meal. Brushing and flossing remove the plaque, debris, and bacteria that build up on your teeth. If you do not brush and floss after each meal, the plaque and bacteria will build up between your teeth and on your aligners.

Visit Your Dentist Regularly

Your dentist will go over how often you should come in for an exam and cleaning. These appointments are important because they give your dentist a chance to catch and treat any issues before they can get worse.

At M.Hirota, DMD, we utilize all the necessary equipment to meet your daily clinic needs. We also offer a discreet option to straighten your smile. Visit us at 135 Civic Center Dr #102, National City, CA 91950. Contact us at (619) 474-4695 or visit our website for more information.