If you have smile imperfections that have been preventing you from enjoying a confident and joyous life, then you now have a discreet and effective way to revamp your image with Invisalign aligners in Carrollton. However, to prevent any damage to your aligners and maintain optimal oral health, it’s important to maintain some important habits and to avoid certain pitfalls. Your orthodontist provides 5 helpful tips to guide you.
Tip #1 – Remove the Aligners Before Eating
Being able to remove your aligners before a meal is one of the more attractive perks of the Invisalign procedure. It also is a necessity, though. That’s because consuming food with your aligners still in your mouth can cause them to break or warp.
Tip #2 – Only Drink Water While Wearing Your Aligners
Another benefit of Invisalign aligners is their clear, plastic design, which provides for a discreet treatment process. However, drinking anything other than water while wearing your aligners can cause them to stain. There is also a risk of bacteria accumulation when you consume drinks that contain sugar.
Tip #3 – Plan in Advance When Traveling
It’s much easier to maintain a routine when you’re at home than it is when you’re traveling; therefore, you should always plan in advance to ensure the best care of your aligners. The most important thing to have with you is your case so that when you’re not wearing your aligners, you can rest assured that they are stored properly, which will help to prevent breakage.
Tip #4 – Keep Your Teeth and Aligners Clean
Because your aligners are designed to fit snuggly against your teeth, they create the perfect breeding ground for bacteria growth. If allowed to fester, they can accumulate and contribute to tooth decay and gum disease.
Since your aligners are removable, you can brush and floss your teeth as you normally would. Here are the steps you should take:
- Rinse the aligners thoroughly immediately after removal.
- Then, soak them using Invisalign cleaning crystals or denture cleaner.
- Next, brush and floss your teeth to remove any lingering bacteria.
- After brushing and rinsing your aligners, you can reinsert them.
Tip #5 – Limit Your Consumption of Carbohydrates
Another way to help maintain your aligners and oral health is to limit the amount of carbohydrates you eat. That’s because they convert to sugar in the body, which happens to be the food of choice for bacteria.
An alternative is to consume foods higher in protein like nuts, cheese, turkey and chicken.
When you are fitted with Invisalign clear aligners by your orthodontist in Carrollton, the goal is to have a smile that is both functional and aesthetically-pleasing. By taking proper care of your aligners, you’ll also enjoy excellent oral health!
About the Author
Dr. Anas Athar’s dental education began at Baqai Dental College in Pakistan, followed by oral maxillofacial radiology training at the University of Missouri in Kansas City. He then went on to receive orthodontic training from Saint Louis University. Dr. Athar uses his vast knowledge and years of experience to help patients correct their bites with Invisalign at Bringing Smiles, and he can be reached for more information through his website.