Invisalign® provides patients with the ability to remove their orthodontic aligners whenever necessary, which is required for eating meals and brushing teeth. While Invisalign® has this advantage over metal braces, there are some extra steps you’ll need to take to keep your teeth as clean as possible during treatment.
Brush Teeth after Each Meal
After you’ve taken your aligners out to eat and have finished your meal, be sure to clean your teeth before you put the aligner back in place. Failure to do so traps decay-causing bacteria between teeth and aligners throughout the rest of the day. While you would normally sweep some of this away through natural saliva production, Invisalign® creates a barrier over teeth that prevents this from happening. This makes keeping your smile as clean as possible between each meal an essential step in ensuring that your teeth are protected and healthy throughout the course of treatment.
Rinse Aligners
Don’t forget to clean your aligners as well! For as much as bacteria and debris can adhere to teeth, they can do the same to the clear plastic of the orthodontics trays. After each meal and before going to bed at night, be sure to rinse your aligners in water or even use a soft bristled tooth brush to sweep away any debris that was left behind. Be sure to avoid using mouthwash and toothpaste on your aligners, as these can negatively affect the plastic and make your aligners less natural-looking when worn. Taking these extra steps to make sure your aligners are as clean as your teeth helps you enjoy fresh breath and healthy teeth through all stages of teeth re-alignment.
Stick to your Morning and Evening Hygiene Routines
With these considerations in mind, it’s important not to skip or minimize morning and evening hygiene routines, just because teeth were brushed throughout the day. Invisalign® patients, like all dental patients, should brush teeth for two minutes, making sure to reach all surfaces of teeth. To clean between teeth, in areas where a toothbrush’s bristles may have trouble accessing, floss thoroughly as well. Invisalign® provides many comforts that traditional braces cannot, but Invisalign® can also trap bacteria in ways that metal braces won’t; it’s vital that you clean your teeth to prevent the formation of cavities and discoloration on teeth during treatment with Invisalign®.
Ask us more about Invisalign®!
While patients who choose Invisalign® may need to be diligent in their oral hygiene routines, they enjoy the benefits of clear and discreet orthodontics that effectively provide straighter smiles. For more information on what to expect with clear braces and how Invisalign® can help you, contact Arden Executive Dental today.