Invisalign is a cosmetic treatment that helps patients straighten crooked and misaligned teeth. With Invisalign treatment, patients can achieve more even and comfortable smiles. However, there are several things patients need to follow during Invisalign treatment to maximize their results and stay on track. We offer Invisalign treatment in Hunt Valley, MD, and help patients throughout their treatment to ensure that they get healthy smiles in a timely manner.
Caring for Invisalign in Hunt Valley, MD
It is simple to care for your aligners, but there are some things you need to keep in mind during treatment. Follow these tips to care for your Invisalign aligners:
Do Not Eat With Your Aligners
We recommend that you remove your aligners to eat. Eating with the plastic aligners in your mouth can create holes in the plastic or even break the aligners. Even if you eat soft foods, the outside of the aligners can get stained. Always remove your aligners before you eat. We also recommend removing your aligners if you drink any beverages other than water, as these beverages can lead to staining or a buildup of sugar and acids on the aligners.
Soak or Gently Clean Your Aligners
You can use a mouthguard soak or Invisalign crystals when cleaning your aligners. Place the cleaning powder in a cup filled with lukewarm water, and then place the aligners in the cup. Soaking the aligners for at least fifteen minutes will disinfect the aligners. You may also clean your aligners with liquid soap and water. Do not use hot water when soaking or cleaning your aligners because this can warp the plastic.
Clean Your Teeth and Your Aligners
Before you place your aligners back in your mouth, you need to clean them. We also recommend that patients brush their teeth before placing their aligners back on their teeth. Brushing your teeth removes food debris and bacteria that can build in the aligners. Not cleaning your teeth or aligners before placing them on the teeth can lead to bacterial infections.
Wear Your Aligners 20-22 Hours a Day
We recommend patients wear their aligners for twenty to twenty-two hours daily. Wearing the aligners for as long as possible will keep you on track for completing treatment in a timely manner. If patients do not wear their aligners for hours or even skip days, they must wear them longer. While Invisalign treatment is typically faster than treatments with braces, not wearing the Invisalign aligners for enough time per day can lengthen treatment time.
Are you interested in Invisalign treatment? Schedule a dental consultation with our team online or call Valley Dental Health 410.803.5587. Please let us know if you have questions about Invisalign during your treatment, and we can help. We want you to maintain your aligners to achieve a straighter, healthier smile.