How to care for your smile while wearing Invisalign aligners

Wearing Invisalign aligners is exciting because you are on your way to getting straighter teeth and a beautiful smile. However, you don't want to discover decay underneath. That's why it is important to know how to care for your smile while wearing aligners.

Take your trays out to eat:

It is critical that you eat without wearing your aligners. Eating with aligners in your mouth can create more food impaction between teeth. You can wear down your trays quickly and create perforations and tray breakage if you eat with them in.

Brush your trays frequently:

The trays will cake with build-up quickly if you do not brush them daily. We recommend brushing the trays at least one or twice a day with liquid soap and water.  You can also use commercial cleaning tablets if that is your preference. Brushing the trays will keep your aligners clean, eliminate any type of stains, keep your breath smelling fresh, and prevent food and debris from getting into your teeth.

Brush your teeth routinely:

Whether or not you wear Invisalign aligners, you should brush your teeth at least twice a day or after every meal using a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Remember your dentist's or hygienist's recommendations about holding your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle. Use circular motion to get all the plaque removed.

Do the same while you wear Invisalign aligners. Remove your trays and brush daily. If you are at work or school and it is difficult to brush right after eating, take a sip of water and swish around to get rid of most of the food and sugar around the teeth. 

Floss your teeth daily:

Have you heard of the expression, "Flossing is as equally important as brushing?" Flossing eliminates bits of food stuck in between the teeth and gums. This cuts down your risk of getting cavities and gingivitis. Trapped food gets pushed down into the gum pockets, causing swelling and bleeding of the gums. Flossing eliminates this problem. With aligners, it is easier and less time consuming to floss than compared to having braces. 

Rinse your mouth with Listerine: 

Before you go to bed and again in the morning, rinse your mouth with Listerine or an antibacterial mouthwash to clean your teeth, strengthen your enamel, and leave your breath clean, minty and fresh.

Once you develop a daily routine, caring for your smile is simple and easy. It does not take that long. By spending five minutes, two to three times daily, you will be on your way to developing great oral hygiene habits that prevent tooth decay and periodontal disease. Care for your smile now, and you will see a healthy smile at the end of your Invisalign treatment. Continue those same hygiene habits after Invisalign, and your smile can last a lifetime.

Visit us at www.CareOrthodontics.com for more information.