13 May DO’S AND DON’TS OF INVISALIGN
Invisalign are clear aligners to straighten your malpositioned or crowded teeth. It is prescribed by the dentist or orthodontist depending on each patient’s clinical case. The aligner will move teeth based on the projected position. To achieve the expected result, the patient must follow the instructions and aftercare discussed by the dentist.
DO’s OF INVISALIGN TREATMENT
The highest prevalence of common soft tissue diseases caused by impacted wisdom teeth is pericoronitis, space infection, and an abscess in the jaw. In addition, the impacted wisdom tooth can result in changes in the occlusal relationship, leading to injuries to both the occlusal muscles and ligaments of the temporomandibular joint.
Pericoronitis
Diligently wear your Aligners
Invisalign moves teeth back to their programmed position by exerting gradual force on your misaligned teeth. You have to wear the aligners both in the upper and lower dentition or arches for about 20-22 hours a day. This gives you 2 hours a day to remove the aligners and eat, drink, and do oral hygiene. It is important to note that the result also depends if the patient. The patient must wear the Invisalign diligently as instructed by the dentist to achieve the expected result.
Maintain the cleanliness of your Aligner
Plaque and bacteria may accumulate if you don’t maintain the cleanliness of your aligner. If you don’t cleanse them, other dental problems may be triggered. Clean the Invisalign aligners every day with a soft-bristled toothbrush. After gently brushing, rinse them with warm water. You can also use the Invisalign cleaning crystals to clean your aligners.
Always remember to clean your teeth before wearing Aligners back
Always practice proper oral hygiene before setting back the aligners on your dentition. If you wear them on unclean teeth, the food debris and sugary particles coated on your teeth will get trapped inside your aligners. The 22 hours of wearing the aligner without cleaning your teeth are enough to generate plaque and bacteria. Maintaining good oral hygiene while you are on Invisalign treatment is crucial. It will prevent you from other dental problems and save you from spending money again.
Limit Consumption of Snacks & Coffee
It is important to limit snack consumption so that you can maintain a cleaner environment between your teeth and your aligner. Drinking water is more advisable than any other drink. Coffee will not only stain your teeth but also can leave marks on your aligner which will defeat one of its advantages, to be discreet, as Invisalign is clear invisible aligners.
Follow Proper Oral Hygiene
Always brush and floss regularly as prescribed by your orthodontist. It is healthy to brush after every meal and floss at least once a day while you are on Invisalign treatment.
Store in Invisalign Case Only
Invisalign aligners are transparent. So if you keep them loosely anywhere, they can be damaged unknowingly. It is important to keep your Invisalign in a clean and safe case after removing it. This will keep your aligner free from dirt and getting lost.
Plan Travel According to Tray Change Schedule
You need to change your aligner tray every few weeks during Invisalign treatment. You can’t risk delaying or missing this change. Therefore, if you are traveling, take your new aligner tray with you and change it on its due date only. You can also get your new tray delivered to your location.
Be Confident & Keep Smiling
Your aligners are transparent and discreet. So you can do social interactions without hesitation. The best thing about Invisalign treatment is that your misaligned or crooked teeth get treated without the people you interact with or around you see them.
Do Soak Your Aligners at Least Once a Day
If you want to keep your Invisalign looking and smelling great, you need to soak your aligners at least once per day. You can use denture cleaners or the cleaning crystals made by Invisalign. After finishing the soak, you need to get another toothbrush and brush all food particles and plaque.
Make sure that the toothbrush isn’t the same one you use for brushing real teeth. After you’re done brushing, rinse them with warm water before you slip them back into your mouth. That helps ensure that the food particles won’t grow and cause more cavities to your real teeth.
DON’TS OF INVISALIGN TREATMENT
Don’t remove the aligners for a Long Time
You have to wear the aligner for 22 hours leaving 2 hours to spend on eating, drinking, and cleaning your teeth. But it doesn’t mean that you are required to spend the 2 hours in one go and the full 120 minutes. Wearing the aligners longer is more effective than wearing them less.
Don’t Expose Invisalign to Air & Heat
Never leave your aligners in the open because they can catch germs and bacteria from the air. Always keep them close in their case whenever you are about to spend your free hours without them. Never drink anything hot or rinse your aligners with hot water. Exposing your Invisalign to heat will wrap them, and it will disturb their fitting.
Don’t Eat & Drink While Wearing Aligners
The aligners are not designed to take force from mastication. You are also exposing them to stains with food and drinks.
Don’t smoke
The cigarette doesn’t only cost your health, it can also cost your Invisalign. As cigarettes can stain your teeth, they can leave stains on your Invisalign disrupting its purpose of being discreet and aesthetic. Control or better yet take this time to quit smoking. This does not only save your health but also saves you from wasting your money as Invisalign is quite expensive.
Don’t Use Harsh & Strong force to Clean Invisalign
Gentle brushing and cleaning of your aligners can prevent your Invisalign from getting scratched marks. And Invisalign with scratches will be easily visible to others.
Don’t Skip or Delay Appointment With an Orthodontist
Never skip an appointment with your orthodontist as they need to monitor the progress of your Invisalign treatment and make timely changes if required. You might need to visit them every 6-12 weeks.
Don’t Clean Your Invisalign Using Colored or Scented Soaps
Avoid using substances with strong colors and scents such as soaps and toothpaste. The main reason is that it can leave some remnants on your Invisalign trays, resulting in discoloration in the long run and leaving some unpleasant aftertaste
Conclusion
Always follow the instructions of the dentist diligently to achieve the expected result.
