Simple ways to care for your Invisalign
Compared to traditional metallic braces, Invisalign aligners are an expensive treatment option for dental malocclusions. Therefore, it makes sense to learn how to take care of them to avoid replacing them quickly and guarantee treatment success. Here's what you can do to ensure Invisalign longevity.
Don't eat or drink with your Invisalign
Invisalign aligners aren't made for chewing; their purpose is to help align your teeth. Thus, chewing food, especially hard foods, can lead to damage. Additionally, if food gets stuck between your Invisalign and teeth, it can cause tooth decay and Invisalign staining.
The same goes for beverages. Most coloured drinks can cause Invisalign staining and hence weakness; you can drink water, though.
Storing your Invisalign when eating and drinking
When you remove your Invisalign to eat or drink, avoid placing them on random surfaces. You can lose them quickly or accidentally damage them. Also, leaving them exposed can encourage bacteria growth due to dry saliva.
Invisalign aligners come with a container you should always use whenever you remove them.
Rinsing your Invisalign aligners
Since Invisalign aligners are always in your mouth, they will be covered in saliva. It would be best if you rinsed the saliva off each time you take them out of your mouth to eat before placing them in their container. Use clean water to rinse.
After eating, brush and floss your teeth to ensure food does not stick between your Invisalign and teeth. Remember, this can lead to tooth decay and Invisalign staining and damage.
Soaking your Invisalign
Rinsing your Invisalign when eating or drinking isn't enough; you still need to clean them thoroughly daily.
For Invisalign to work successfully, you need to wear them for the longest time possible – dentists recommend at least 22 hours daily. So, the best time to clean them thoroughly is in the morning when you wake up.
Soak them in Invisalign cleaning crystals and gently brush them with a soft toothbrush if you like. This is, of course, after breakfast, so you can also brush your teeth and wear the clean Invisalign on clean teeth.
Avoid using toothpaste on your Invisalign
Toothpaste can lead to discolouration, and since you chose Invisalign aligners for their clear and elegant appearance, this is not something you want. Your dentist should inform you of the safe compounds you can use during cleaning. Lastly, always be gentle when handling your aligners; this includes when wearing and removing them.
For more information on Invisalign, contact a professional near you.