Invisalign works much like traditional braces to straighten your teeth over time. However, Invisalign is a more popular orthodontic treatment because your aligners are clear and free of brackets and wires, so they don't impact your appearance.
If you're planning to get the treatment, it's important to listen to your orthodontist's advice to ensure Invisalign success. Here are some tips and tricks you need to know about.
Don't Miss Your Appointments
As mentioned, it's essential that you stick to your scheduled appointments and follow your orthodontist's instructions to increase the chances of having a successful treatment.
For instance, you have to change your aligners on time and follow the schedule set out by your orthodontist concerning the order in which your aligners should be changed. Generally, you have to wear each set of aligners for two weeks. Trust your doctor's recommendations because it's common for patients to want to move on to the next set quickly. However, this can delay the progress of your treatment instead of fast-tracking it.
Wear Your Aligners
The importance of wearing your aligners as instructed cannot be overemphasized. However, it's one of the most common mistakes people make. It's all too easy to get distracted with your schedule and forget to wear your aligners as often as you should. Ideally, you should wear your aligners for 22 hours per day.
If the time you spend without aligners regularly dips below that, it means you'll have to have the treatment for longer before you achieve optimum results. It's especially important to wear your aligners as often as you can during the first couple of days. But don't wear them all the time because you have to take them out at least twice a day when you brush and floss your teeth.
Brush and Floss Regularly
It's necessary to reiterate that you have to brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day. It's also recommended to use mouthwash as a rinse. Neglecting your oral hygiene can affect the health of your mouth, and the situation can be made worse by wearing Invisalign all the time.
Take Steps to Reduce Tenderness and Soreness
Wearing Invisalign aligners should not be overly uncomfortable, but it's normal to experience some tenderness and soreness. The good news is this won't be an issue for long because you'll eventually adjust to the aligners.
In the meanwhile, there are a few tips and tricks you can employ to reduce any tenderness and soreness in your gums. For starters, avoid foods that can worsen the sensitivity and opt for softer foods instead. When you take out your aligners, you can also suck on an ice cube to help reduce inflammation and reduce the feeling in your gums.
It's often better to switch to a new aligner in the morning so that by the time you go to bed, you will have adjusted to the tenderness. However, if your gums are not only tender but you feel a rough edge, you may need to schedule an appointment with your orthodontist to get the issue fixed.
Take Good Care of Your Aligners
It doesn't take much effort to ensure that your aligners are kept clean all the time. You can clean your aligners by rinsing them with warm water and special antibacterial soap. Never clean them with toothpaste as this can cause damage. It's best to use soap that's especially recommended as a cleaning product for aligners. You can ask your orthodontist to recommend the right cleaning products.
Wear Your Retainer Afterwards to Maintain Alignment
It's always a happy moment when you take off your last set of retainers. You can now showcase your best smile with straight and perfect teeth. However, don't neglect to wear your retainer if you want to maintain the results. Your retainer is designed to prevent your teeth from moving away from their new positions. Your doctor will suggest the minimum number of hours you have to wear the retainer once your treatment is over. Following the recommendation is the last but crucial step to ensuring Invisalign success.
Now that you're aware of what it takes to ensure Invisalign success, it means you're ready for your treatment. You'll find that fitting and wearing your aligners is a breeze compared to traditional braces.
One last thing: According to Becker Orthodontics, although over 70% of orthodontists in the US and Canada are certified Invisalign specialists, you still need to do your due diligence when searching for the right orthodontist. To save yourself the hassle, be sure to give us a call as soon as you're ready for your first appointment. We are experts at helping people like you navigate their Invisalign journey all the way to a healthier and happier smile.
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