If you’re planning on getting invisible braces, there are some things you can do to improve your results. These tips work for teens and adults of all ages, and they will help your treatment stay on the right track. Here is a look at how to maximize the benefits of invisible braces, courtesy of our Michigan family dentist office.
Wear Your Aligners At Least 22 Hours A Day
Invisible braces are removable. That’s one of the perks of having them. With that in mind, you still need to wear your aligners as often as possible. We recommend wearing them for 22 hours a day. That leaves enough time to eat meals, brush your teeth, and clean your trays as needed. In order for the aligners to straighten your teeth, they need to be on your teeth almost all the time. Taking them off frequently may delay your treatment progress.
Do NOT Move To A New Set Before You’re Ready
As you start to see progress with your invisible braces, you may be tempted to advance treatment prematurely. Your teeth will be sensitive the first couple days of a cycle, but after that, they should feel like normal. That doesn’t mean that they aren’t working though. Your teeth need time to get used to their new positioning before they’re forced to move again. If you advance to a new set before you’re ready, you may experience pain later on or your teeth may not stay straight after treatment.
Take Care Of Your Teeth
Your aligners can accelerate bacteria growth in your mouth. That’s why it is so important to take care of your teeth with invisible braces. Brush at least twice a day and floss at least once. We also recommend rinsing your mouth after you eat, before you put your aligners back in. You could chew sugar-free gum for five to ten minutes before putting your aligners back in to encourage saliva production in your mouth.
Keep Track Of Your Aligners
Avoid losing aligners as much as possible. Having to order a new set of aligners takes time, which will only slow down the progress of your treatment. Most lost aligners happen by accident, but do all you can to prevent that. Put your aligners in a bright colored carrying case while you eat so you remember to put them back in. Do not put the aligners in a napkin or paper towel because you may accidentally throw them away.
Keep Your Most Recent Set Of Invisible Braces Trays
It’s always a good idea to hold on to your most recent set of aligners when you switch to a new set. If you happen to lose or misplace your new aligners, you may be able to go back to the old set while you wait for replacements to come in. This is the equivalent of keeping an old pair of glasses in case you lose your new ones. As long as you follow these tips, you will have great success with your invisible braces.
