Invisalign aligners are a modern and innovative way to straighten teeth without the need for traditional metal braces. While these transparent dental appliances offer a wide range of benefits, there are some special instructions to follow when caring for the roof of your mouth while wearing them. The ideal is to clean all plaque and food debris from the teeth before placing the aligners on the teeth. Rinse your mouth before putting your aligners back on, and drink cool water to help gently numb the sore area.
You can drink water while wearing your aligners, but avoid sugary drinks, such as juices or soft drinks, which can cause tooth decay and damage your teeth. Bad breath is another unwanted side effect that can sometimes occur during Invisalign treatment. Some people think that the bad breath caused by Invisalign is due to the plastic aligners themselves or that they have to be worn for at least 20 hours a day, but those are just myths about orthodontics. The best advice we can give you is to keep your aligners clean.
Never eat or drink anything other than water when you have your aligners on and wash them thoroughly after every meal with toothpaste and a toothbrush. Be sure to use warm water, as hot water can deform the plastic. Food particles can also be trapped between the aligners and the teeth, causing plaque to form. Patients can use Invisalign aligners when they drink water, but they should take them off when they eat or drink anything else. This is because transparent dental appliances can still be affected by sugary or acidic substances. Although treatment always depends on each case, patients usually wear their retainer full time for a short period of time and gradually move on to wearing it only at night, then reducing it to a few nights a week.
Practicing good oral hygiene and basic care are also a fundamental part of post-treatment care. You should brush and floss your teeth twice a day, do regular cleanings, and be sure to let your provider know if your retainer is damaged or if you feel that something isn't right. If you frequently feel pain with Invisalign after changing your aligners, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever before changing your aligner to help prevent pain from occurring. If Invisalign is causing dry mouth or bad breath, you should consider eliminating caffeine and tobacco. Chewing on hard ice can cause you unnecessary pain because your teeth can become sensitive to chewing on hard foods while using Invisalign. Remember that there's no way to cheat in the process; if you don't follow your provider's instructions, you'll need other treatment. Focusing on using and caring for aligners will not only fix crooked teeth, but it will also give you the confidence that you've made the most of this wise investment to have a beautiful smile.
