It used to be that if you never had orthodontia, or if you did and your teeth still settled back into their old pre-treatment disarray, you had few options. You could get implants, or you could get the same old “railroad tracks” that you wore as a child. Many adults were reluctant to go through that pain, expense, and embarrassment again.
Invisalign changed all of that, allowing people of all ages to achieve sparking straight teeth without the heavy hardware. However, if you choose to get Invisalign, you need to adhere to a few simple rules if you want to have the full benefit.
Here are 7 Invisalign tips to help you get the most out of your invisible braces.
1. Change your Aligners Regularly and in the Right Order
Invisalign is a treatment where you wear a set of plastic removable trays on your teeth over a relatively brief period of time; patients usually wear Invisalign for about 12-18 months to achieve the desired results.
Your dentist will work with you to create the customized set of trays for your teeth which are changed every few weeks as your teeth start to move.
In order to get the teeth you want, the best Invisalign tip you need to follow is to listen to your dental professional. They will fit you and provide the appropriate trays at the right time for your mouth and rate of treatment.
You may want to rush through the treatment and try wearing the tightest trays first. Listen to your dentist! They have been trained in this specific treatment and know what will work best for you to get the smile you want.
2. Wear Invisalign 22 hours Per Day
The most important Invisalign tip to follow is to wear these devices for the prescribed amount of time. Usually, dentists recommend that they be worn between 20-23 hours per day. They should be removed during meals and to brush your teeth.
Of course, many people do not want to wear braces, invisible or not, or a job interview, date, or other important occasions. The whole attraction of this product is that they are removable.
It is possible to take out your Invisalign if you need to feel extra confident and don’t want to worry about them for a few hours.
However, if you really want to get the full effects of Invisalign in the shortest amount of time possible, wear them as prescribed.
3. Floss Regularly
Recent studies have claimed that flossing regularly does not necessarily prevent cavities. The dental community still disagrees over how much is enough and how effective this practice is overall.
However, if you wear Invisalign, it is important to floss regularly. The plastic which covers your teeth in this mode of treatment means that bits of food can easily get trapped between your teeth.
They do not get washed out with saliva and drinking fluids as easily as they would if you did not have these shields over your teeth.
If plaque and bacteria are left to fester underneath the trays, you will develop cavities, gum disease and other problems that will require more dental care beyond teeth straightening.
While dental professionals can give you a full smile makeover to address problems beyond just straightening, why not prevent problems by flossing regularly for the cleanest, prettiest mouth possible?
4. Pay Attention to Dietary Guidelines
The dental professional who guides you through your Invisalign treatment will give you a set of rules to follow to further protect our teeth.
Just like when you wore the old-fashioned braces, you will be advised to avoid very sticky foods like gum and taffy. Because Invisalign often uses attachments to the teeth, very sticky foods can pull off those attachments. This will require another trip to the dentist and a delay in the eventual smile that you seek.
Your dentist may also advise that you stay away from foods that stain your teeth, like coffee and colas.
5. Learn to Speak With Them In
You may find you have some trouble speaking clearly the first time you put on your Invisalign trays. This is perfectly normal. Most patients get used to the trays quickly and learn to overcome any slurring or lisping they initially experience.
Because you need to wear Invisalign for up to 22 hours per day, you shouldn’t take them out every time you expect to be speaking with someone, This would significantly diminish your wearing time, and thus reduce their efficacy.
Most people will not notice you are wearing anything on your teeth at all. The sooner you get used to speaking with them in, the sooner you will be able to reap the full benefits of the treatment.
6. Don’t Be Afraid of Attachments
Sometimes your orthodontist will need to attach small buttons to your teeth to move a particular tooth or make sure the tray stays in place. These attachments may feel funny at first, but they are an integral part of the treatment.
These attachments are usually clear or white, so they will not be noticeable. They serve an important role in the Invisalign method, so don’t avoid them. Remember, they are so much better than the heavy metal rings they used to use to surround your teeth!
7. Wear Your Retainer!
If you have invested in yourself by choosing the Invisalign method, you will want to do everything you can to protect your investment. This means you must wear a retainer, even after the treatment is finished.
Your dentist will give you an apparatus to wear at night to make sure your teeth do not move into their previous positioning.
Even though you are surely excited to not wear anything in your mouth after months of treatment make sure you wear your retainer as instructed. You don’t want those months to go to waste!
Follow these Invisalign Tips for the Smile You Have Always Wanted!
Invisalign is a relatively easy and painless way to get the smile you have always wanted. Make sure you observe these simple Invisalign tips and you will be able to keep smiling for many years to come.
if you are interested in whether the Invisalign method is right for you, contact us.
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