Tips for getting the best out of Invisalign®️
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign®️ is a dental appliance that is used in orthodontics dentistry to correct misaligned teeth. These aligners are nothing like dental bridges or traditional braces. You do not even have to worry about the bonding of teeth to the aligners. They are usually customized to befit the shape and size of the teeth of a patient.
The option to have Invisalign over all other treatment procedures for aligning teeth mostly lies on the preferences of a patient. Invisalign is a clear appliance that allows patients to go through dental treatment without letting the world in on it. During the treatment plan, the aligners are changed every one to two weeks. The change in the pair of aligners helps adjust the teeth to rouse a shift of the teeth. The treatment is very effective if done correctly.
How do you get the most out of your aligners?
As per your doctor, Invisalign treatment will last a certain duration to acquire the desired results. The shifting of teeth is gradual, and it differs from one individual to another. After examining your bone structure and severity of your teeth misalignment, your doctor will prescribe the best treatment plan for your situation.
Getting used to your aligners, however, is the game-changing factor. No matter how thorough your doctor is to lay out the treatment plan for you, the success of it hugely relies on your efforts.
Invisalign aftercare
- Remove your aligners when you eat
Foods and drinks can easily stain your aligners this will undermine the whole anonymity and invisibility concept of the treatment. Besides, aligners are susceptible to cracking and breaking when exposed to hard chewing.
- Brush your teeth and floss every day
You know how you have to be disciplined with flossing and brushing your teeth after a teeth whitening procedure? When it comes to aligners, the same effort must be put forth. Oral hygiene can jeopardize the shifting of the teeth. If you let plaque buildup between your teeth, the movement will not be as smooth. With Invisalign, brushing and flossing should always happen immediately after eating, and right before putting them back on. Besides, the last thing you want is to stain your invisible aligners and make them conspicuous.
- Protect Your Tongue
Once you get your set of aligners, you must learn to use dental wax to cover sharp edges. Wearing your aligners the first few days of your treatment can irritate, and sometimes sores on your tongue. It is also common during the start of new tray cycles. Your orthodontist can help you will that.
- Always hit the 22-hour mark
For your Invisalign to be as effective as it should be, you must wear it for 22 hours every day. The shifting of teeth will not happen overnight. It is a process that requires discipline and consistency to work. Keep track of the amount of time you keep your aligners on, for best results.
- Wear your aligners at night
When you sleep, you can be sure to cover about 8 hours or more of having your aligners on. This means that you can create time to eat during the day, without interfering with your treatment plan. Make the most out of the 2 hours you have to be free of your aligners.
- Engage in chewing exercises
Chewing exercises are great to help keep your jaw in shape. However, the main reason you should be doing this is to alleviate the pain. Invisalign works by forcing your teeth to shift in the preferred position. This shifting affects your bone structure and jaw. It is why it hurts. The discomfort and pain you will feel, especially at the start of new trays can be reduced by chewing exercises. Chewing will act like a massage for your jaw and help relieve some tension and pressure causing the pain.
- Change your new trays at night
As earlier mentioned, new trays come with added pressure. This can cause a lot of discomforts. Making the switch in the morning or during the day will give you a long day at work or school. Instead, wear them before you go to sleep. This way, you can sleep through the first few hours of the most tension.