9 Tips to Get the Most from Your Invisalign Braces

There are many orthodontic treatments to straighten your teeth. One such treatment is
Invisalign which uses clear aligners to adjust your teeth into their correct position. It is one of the
most popular cosmetic dentistry procedures in Brampton and Caledon. Unlike traditional braces,
Invisalign is free of wires and brackets. This means that you can continue to work, eat, and
socialize without any worries.

If your dentist suggests that you undergo Invisalign treatment, you must follow the essential
guidelines to get the most from your treatment. After all, Invisalign gives you a perfect smile with
many other added benefits like flexibility and comfort.
Here are nine Invisalign tips that make your treatment as comfortable and successful as
possible.

1. Keep your aligners on

Many patients, especially children, make the mistake of not wearing the aligners as guided by
the children’s dentist. This pertains to the amount of time for which you must keep the aligners
on. It is recommended that you wear the aligners for close to 22 hours per day.
If you don’t wear the aligners for very long, it can elongate the treatment schedule and also
delay results. For the first two days after the start of the process, wear the aligner trays for as
long as possible, removing them only when it is time to brush and floss your teeth.

2. Follow the schedule to change aligners

Dentists prepare a schedule to help you understand when you need to change your aligners.
The order in which you need to change them is also included in the schedule. You need to wear
a particular set for around two weeks. Any kid’s dentist will recommend that you change the
aligners as per the schedule and avoid fastening the treatment by beginning to use the next set
of aligners too soon. Please note that the idea to speed up the process can actually further
delay the overall treatment period.

3. Fight tenderness while adjusting to the aligners

Mayfield Dental ensures that the aligners are comfortable for you. They sit in the right place in
your mouth. However, some patients still complain of discomfort as they adjust to the aligners.
Fortunately, there are some steps to help you fight soreness and tenderness. These steps allow
you to make the adjustment process comfortable:

• Numb your gums by sucking on an ice cube when you have removed your
  aligners.
• Do not eat crispy, crunchy, and chewy foods when you experience soreness of
  the teeth or gums.
• Change to a new aligner early in the day. That way, you get enough time to
  adjust to the tenderness before going to sleep.
• Get in touch with an emergency dentist if you feel a rough edge.

4. Retain the previous aligners

When you get a new set of aligners, don’t throw the old ones away. Having a spare set comes
in handy in times when you lose or break the aligners. This way, you can continue to wear
aligners while waiting for the replacement set.
If you wear the last set of aligners, you prevent your teeth from moving back into their previous
position. After you receive the replacement, restart the two-week process and avoid any delay in
the progress of the treatment.

5. Maintain a routine to rinse, brush, and floss

It is vital to maintain good oral hygiene to keep your mouth healthy and clean while wearing
Invisalign. Remove your aligners two times per day to brush and floss the teeth. Also, remember
to use a mouthwash.

6. Practice the speech

Aligners impact your speech. It will take you some time to learn how to speak normally while
wearing the aligners. In the beginning, there may be a slight lisp. Continue talking while wearing
the aligners. In just a few days, you will return to normal speech, and the lisp will no longer be
noticeable.

7. Use attachments

Attachments or ‘buttons’ are great to fasten the progress of your treatment. These attachments
help to keep the aligners in place. Moreover, they are ideal for treating a wide range of
orthodontic cases that are otherwise not treatable by plastic aligners. They also help to move a
tooth.
The buttons are tiny dots in the natural color of your teeth. They are made using bonding
material and are usually placed on the middle part of your teeth. These attachments ensure that
the right amount of force is placed at the right places to align your teeth.

8. Care for the aligners

It is easy to clean the aligners and maintain them. All you need is antibacterial soap and warm
water. You can use soap and water to clean the aligners, but you can also opt for professional
cleaning products when it comes to plastic orthodontics.
Dental offices in Brampton and Caledon give patients the correct and most effective cleaning
products for their aligners. It is advised that you avoid the use of toothpaste for cleaning as it
can scratch the plastic.

9. Put on your retainers after treatment

After your treatment with Invisalign aligners comes to an end, you need a retainer to keep your
teeth in their new positions. Many patients avoid the use of retainers, thinking that their teeth are
now straight and perfect. However, you must not make that mistake.
Skipping the retainer can drift your teeth out of alignment again. So, consult your orthodontist to
understand how often and for how long you need to wear retainers after completion of the
Invisalign treatment.

Wrap Up

Invisalign is an alternative treatment to traditional braces. It is great for teens, adults, and young
adults since they don’t detract from the face or smile. They are invisible.
Invisalign also helps to cut down on the time you have to spend at the dentist or orthodontist’s
office. They require maintenance once every 6 weeks. Other treatments like dental implants,
dental crowns, and dental bridges require more sessions and upkeep.
Many orthodontic options come with food restrictions. This is one of the reasons people are
averse to the treatments. However, with Invisalign, there are no restrictions and issues. You can
eat whatever you like after removing the tray.