If you are one of the many people that have chosen to straighten their teeth using the Invisalign system of clear aligners, congratulations! You have taken a big step towards achieving the smile of your dreams without the need to wear uncomfortable or unsightly metal braces and brackets. With this revolutionary system, you can improve the alignment of your teeth while wearing a set of clear plastic aligners that are virtually undetectable, are comfortable and are easy to care for.
Invisalign System Clear Braces
Although the entire process of straightening teeth is simpler on you, the patient, when you opt for Invisalign clear braces rather than the traditional kind, it is still very important that you understand proper care instructions so that you get the most out of the system, protect the health of your teeth and also ensure that your aligners do the job they are supposed to do. For that reason, we have put together a short list that shows you how to care for Invisalign braces.
Care Instructions:
1. Remove aligners when eating – The good news is that you can eat anything you want even when you are straightening your teeth because the clear aligners are removable and should be removed each and every time you eat. No matter what you are eating, your aligners should be removed and placed in a safe place where they will not be damaged or lost. You should have a case provided to you by your dentist that you can use to store the aligners when you are not wearing them. The case will also help to keep them clean. Before putting the aligners back on your teeth, it is best to at least rinse your mouth with water if you can’t brush to remove food particles, bacteria and sugars that may otherwise get trapped between your teeth and the aligners.
2. Remove aligners when brushing and flossing your teeth – You can stick to your regular dental hygiene routine of brushing and flossing your teeth daily when using this system. Simply remove the aligners so you can brush and floss as you normally would. When cleaning your teeth, it’s also the perfect time to clean the aligners.
3. Clean your aligners each time you brush your teeth – Cleaning is easy and there are no special tools. All you need is a soft-bristled toothbrush, some toothpaste or the Invisalign cleaning kit, and some lukewarm water. While they are off, simply brush the inside and outside of the aligners gently using a circular motion and a bit of water and some toothpaste or the cleaner, then rinse them off with water. Make sure the water is not too warm or you take the chance of warping the aligners.
4. For tough cleaning – If you notice a calcium build-up on the plastic of your aligner (it will look like a cloudy white film), you may find that you have to do a bit of a deeper cleaning than just your daily brushing and rinsing routine. In this case, soak the aligner in the Invisalign cleaning solution or use a retainer or denture cleaning solution. You should carefully follow all instructions on the package and don’t oversoak the apparatus. Be sure to not soak the aligner in mouthwash because the pigment from the mouthwash may discolor the clear plastic.
5. Instructions for sleeping and sports – You should sleep with your aligners in place each night and should strive to wear them for 20 – 22 hours per day (just removing for eating and cleaning). If you play sports, you can keep them in your mouth during the activity unless you need to wear a mouthguard. If your activity requires a mouthguard, simply remove the aligners during the activity and store in a clean, dry case.
6. When moving on to the next set of aligners – Your system includes a series of aligners that you wear for about two weeks at a time. When you are ready to move on to the next set in the system, you should carefully and thoroughly clean and dry the previous set, then store in a clean, safe place. In some cases, you may need to go back to previous aligners and wear them again for a short period of time, so you should not discard them.
For more information about how to care for Invisalign, or for a consultation to see if Invisalign clear braces are right for you, contact Park Dental Care at 718-274-1515.
