Although the average Invisalign treatment is substantially shorter than traditional braces, patients are often still curious how they can see the results as quickly as possible. The short answer is “follow all of the guidelines to a tee!” If you’re unsure what that means or where to start, here are five simple tips for staying on-track with Invisalign.
Do Wear Your Aligners for 22 Hours a Day
Although there are several noteworthy benefits of having removable aligners – including the fact that there aren’t any dietary restrictions – you do need to make sure you’re meeting the 20-22 hour-a-day wear-time. If you don’t, then your teeth won’t move as anticipated, resulting in you falling off-track with your treatment plan.
Don’t Move Onto the Next Trays in the Series Too Early or Too Late
Depending on your unique treatment plan, you may switch to the next aligners in the series every 7, 10, or 14 days. Whatever the case is for you, make sure you stick to it! Moving onto the next set too early can interfere with the stability of your bite, and moving onto the next set too late can add time to the backend of your treatment plan.
Do Brush and Floss Your Teeth After Each Meal
Remember, if you don’t brush and floss after each meal, then your aligners will trap the food particles, plaque, and other debris against your teeth, negatively impacting your oral health in the process. To make this task easier, keep a travel-sized toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss in your bag at all times. That way, you can complete your oral hygiene regimen whether you’re at the office or at lunch with friends!
Don’t Use Hot Water to Clean Your Aligners
When cleaning your aligners, always check the temperature of the water. If it’s too hot, then your trays can warp. Once they lose their shape, they can’t effectively move your teeth into their desired positions. So, always use cool or lukewarm water instead!
Do Prioritize Your Check-In Visits
Patients often assume that their check-in visits aren’t important, especially if they have all of their aligners. In reality, these periodic appointments with your dentist are crucial so they can determine if your teeth are tracking properly and, if they aren’t, what changes to your treatment plan are needed. Plus, these visits are a great chance to ask any questions you have!
About the Practice
Our team at Southlake Family Dentistry is proud to offer Invisalign, a discreet teeth-straightening solution that’s helped more than 12 million patients around the world. We also utilize state-of-the-art dental technology to make the treatment process more enjoyable than ever before, including mess-free digital impressions and Virtual Smile Design! If you want to learn more about clear aligner treatment, you’re welcome to get in touch with us via our website or by phone at (803) 548-3342.