What Should I Do and Not Do When Wearing Invisalign?

Many find that Invisalign is an easier way to straighten their teeth than traditional braces, but the process still requires that patients stick to a few basic rules. While it’s certainly great to have an orthodontic treatment that is virtually invisible and without dietary restrictions, it’s important to wear your aligners for enough time every day while staying on top of a rigorous hygiene regimen. Here’s a brief list of dos and don’ts to remember while wearing Invisalign.

Invisalign Habits to Develop

There are a few practices Invisalign patients should take care to adhere to. These include:

Aligner hygiene

If your teeth and aligners are not kept clean, food particles that feed harmful oral bacteria can get caught between them, leading to dental discoloration and tooth decay. Rinse your aligners before you put them in and after you remove them and take care to brush them inside and out with a soft toothbrush and toothpaste at least once a day.

Oral hygiene

Invisalign clear aligners must be removed for meals and oral hygiene. After eating, wait at least thirty minutes before thoroughly brushing and flossing. This will clear away bacteria and food debris that can cause treatment-delaying oral infections.

Wear your aligners enough every day

Invisalign clear aligners must be worn for at least twenty hours every day, so it’s important to time your meals and hygiene to stay on top of this schedule.

Bad Habits to Kick

There are a few bad habits that can damage your clear aligners, which can lead to delays in treatment. A few practices to avoid include:

Harmful cleaning practices

When cleaning your appliances, stick to lukewarm water and cleaning products that are approved for Invisalign clear aligners. Hot or cold water as well as harsh cleaning agents like bleach can warp or discolor your aligners.

Chewing damage

Invisalign clear aligners are not designed to withstand the pressures of chewing. Always remove your aligners whenever you eat or drink anything besides water.

Exposing trays to harm

Many an aligner has been swept into the trash because a patient simply set it aside on a napkin after removing it for lunch. Remember to bring a small carrying case with you so that you can safely store your aligners in your pocket when not wearing them.

Complying with your orthodontist’s instructions is the best way to achieve superior results from Invisalign treatment. With a little daily care and maintenance, you can keep your treatment on track and attain a beautiful new smile.

About the Author

Dr. Jacob Milner earned his dental degree at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry and completed an externship at Kernan Hospital. He has completed advanced training in many areas of dentistry such as dental sleep medicine. His office in Owings Mills, MD offers general, cosmetic, restorative, and emergency dentistry in addition to Invisalign treatments. For more information on complying with Invisalign, contact his office online or dial (410) 390-0277.