Congratulations on purchasing Invisalign braces – the first step to getting straight teeth and a beautiful smile. These clear braces are both modern and discreet, being the latest in dental technology. To get more familiar with wearing your braces, and to find out how to get the most out of Invisalign, read on.
The Basics
Invisalign are a series of custom-made trays created out of transparent plastic that fit over your teeth. They are to be worn between 20 to 22 hours a day and taken out when you are eating or taking care of your oral hygiene. The trays are specifically designed to move and rearrange your teeth into the proper position. Over time as your teeth move, the trays will be replaced with new ones until the treatment has concluded. It is important that you follow the recommended wearing times – if you take them out for longer durations you may experience discomfort and treatment may take longer for optimal results.
Cleaning and Maintenance
It’s essential to clean your Invisalign aligners daily, especially after you eat. This ensures that food debris does not build up resulting in bacteria. Staining is also a possibility if not cleaned daily, and no one wants their teeth to appear discoloured. Routine cleaning is also necessary to avoid tooth decay and cavities associated with a decrease in saliva contact. Saliva helps to naturally clean your teeth but when covered in a tray, you lose this advantage and cavities become a real possibility. So make sure you pay particular attention to oral hygiene.
Eating and Drinking
When wearing Invisalign, you should always remove your trays before eating. You will also need to plan your meals, as you will only have 2 to 4 hours where you are can remove the trays for eating and oral hygiene. When chewing you may notice some discomfort at first, or that your bite feels a little off. This is completely normal and these symptoms can be reduced by chewing more slowly. When you’re drinking water, you can keep your brace trays on, but for other drinks you should remove the braces and ensure you brush your teeth directly after. This will prevent any stains from forming and reduce the chances of tooth decay.
Adjusting to Habits
If you’re used to wearing a night guard and find you are constantly pressing down on the trays, it’s okay; this can help the teeth align more easily. Also, if you find that you are drooling more frequently or having an issue speaking as fluidly as you did before, don’t be concerned, these symptoms will subside with time.
Invisalign is an excellent way to align your teeth more quickly and efficiently than with traditional braces. Plus, they’re barely noticeable – something many of us wish existed during our pubescent years. If you wish for more information, contact our Ottawa dental clinic and we can assist you with any questions you have.
