When your cosmetic dentist recommends orthodontics, Invisalign® offers you a discreet way to correct malocclusions, boosting your confidence during treatment. To preserve their condition and efficacy, it’s essential that you follow recommended care procedures for them and your teeth during use. Here are four guidelines to keep in mind when living with these aligners.

Do:

Keep them — and your teeth — clean.

If either the trays or your teeth aren’t kept clean, bacteria and food will become trapped against your teeth and gums, heightening the risk of decay and gum irritation. Always start your day by brushing your teeth and cleaning the straightening trays. They can be rinsed under warm water, in a denture cleaning solution, or in special Invisalign-brand cleaning crystals. Brush and floss your teeth after every meal or if you drink anything besides water, and rinse your trays once or twice throughout the day to control bacteria buildup.

Attend your follow-up appointments.

Never skip a follow-up appointment with your cosmetic dentist. These appointments are crucial to judging your progress and the efficacy of the orthodontics, and it’s how you’ll receive new trays to continue the straightening treatment. Missing an appointment could result in inefficient or incomplete treatment, or it could allow any discomfort or concerns you have to worsen and interfere with your treatment.

Don’t:

Stain or damage them.

The trays are made of a soft material that’s susceptible to staining, scratches, and other damage, so handle them with care, avoiding pulling or jerking on them. Remove the aligner trays before you eat anything to avoid scratching, cutting, or otherwise marring the aligners, as these damages may reduce the treatment efficacy or the discretion element. Never drink anything but water while they’re in, either, or they’ll become stained and can trap sugary liquids on your teeth.

Forget to wear them.

For the treatment to be beneficial, you must wear your trays for a minimum of 20 hours a day but ideally 22 hours, and you can’t skip a day. The treatment works by applying gentle, constant pressure on your teeth to shift them into the desired position. Any time spent without your trays in removes that pressure and halts the treatment, which will slow the overall process and produce dissatisfying results. Only remove the trays to eat, drink, or clean them or your teeth.

In New London County, CT, the experienced team at Waterford Dental Health will provide you with reliable and effective orthodontics, including Invisalign. Their dentists are committed to finding the optimal treatment for your smile and needs, working with you to develop a customized treatment plan. Beyond this, they offer family and general dentistry services like dental implants, and they specialize in providing efficient sedation dentistry. All work is backed by their expertise and the latest technology available, so they always provide you with the highest level of care possible. Learn more about Invisalign on their website, and call (860) 447-2235 to schedule your consultation today.