Many people dread the idea of wearing conventional braces, especially adults. Adults frequently decide against receiving orthodontic or NHS dental treatment because of the look of the metal wires and brackets.
Thankfully, there are several options for metal braces. For instance, you’ve probably heard about invisible dental aligners far superior to old-fashioned metal braces. The key selling point of the aligners is that they are practically invisible when used.
Compared to braces, aligners provide several other advantages. However, you should first read the dos and don’ts of using invisible dental aligners that we provide if you consider them for a healthier smile.
That will allow you to be sure that the procedure of straightening your teeth is going in the right direction.
Wear your aligners for at least 22 hours daily
Concerns regarding the results of invisible dental aligners are common. The truth is that they provide the intended benefits, but only when worn continually, mainly because they work on moving the teeth into position by applying constant, mild pressure. Therefore, you might not get the desired results if you don’t wear them for at least 22 hours each day.
According to experts, you should wear them for at least 20 to 22 hours daily and remove them only while drinking, eating, or cleaning your teeth. And that brings us to the next point in the dos and don’ts of using invisible dental aligners.
Remove your aligners when you eat
There are no dietary restrictions when using invisible dental aligners. But your eating habits are a different tale. The most important rule is removing your invisible aligners before each snack, meal, and beverage. The only thing you can drink while using invisible aligners is water.
Without doing so, you risk using so much power when biting and chewing that you break your aligners, stain them, or make them smell. Food fragments will also become caught between the aligners and teeth. And if they stay there for a long time, they could settle and cause your teeth to decay.
Keep your good oral habits
Before putting on your invisible aligners, clean and floss your teeth, as food particles in your teeth will be caught within them if worn on unclean teeth. In addition, if the particles remain there, they can produce bacteria and plaque. Therefore, practicing proper dental hygiene when receiving invisible dental aligners treatment is crucial. It will shield you from more tooth problems.
Clean your invisible dental aligners regularly
Plaque and bacteria will begin to build up on your aligners if you don’t clean them daily while wearing them. Furthermore, you can simply use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently brush your aligners and then rinse them with warm water. This process must be repeated twice daily, in the morning and evening. In addition, after meals, always rinse them before putting them back in your mouth.
If you want, you can use specific cleaning products for dental aligners. They can be great, but they are not obligatory. As mentioned before, regular bruising can be sufficient.
At the same time, you can ask your dentist for more advice on cleaning your aligners correctly, just as you ask them when you look for multiple invisible braces providers for your aligners. Having more options and choosing the best one is always better and wiser.
Never clean your invisible aligners with toothpaste
One of the most frequent mistakes patients make is cleaning their aligners with toothpaste, especially at the beginning of their treatment. Unfortunately, since most of them include mild abrasives that will result in flaws, doing this might harm them. Due to these flaws, your invisible aligners may become dull and unaesthetic, and there’s a chance that plaque may build up in the abrasions.
That can make it more challenging to maintain cleanliness and open the door for germs to enter your mouth. If you really want to use a cleaning solution on your aligners, only use the one recommended by your aligners provider or dentist.
Don’t leave your invisible aligners in the open air
Never expose your aligners to the open air, which might cause bacterial growth. Additionally, since they are translucent and difficult to notice, you can quickly lose them. Instead, keep your invisible dental aligners in the special case you receive. Keep them in that case when you need to leave them out, even for a short while.
Doing this will prevent them from becoming full of germs and being lost. Moreover, ensure to rinse them before putting them in your mouth if you leave them out for a while. If you believe they seem dirty, soak them in an appropriate cleaner for some time and then rinse them again.
Keep sugary foods on a low
You may eat everything you want while getting invisible dental aligners treatment. But remember that eating sticky and sweet foods might harm your teeth. For instance, you may get cavities if you consume too much of these foods. The worst is sugary chewing gum since they make you keep your aligners off for longer.
Never expose your invisible dental aligners to heat
Your aligners may get deformed if you rinse them in hot water, consume a hot beverage while wearing them, or leave them in a warm environment. This will affect how well your aligners fit, which might eventually affect your outcomes.
As a result, be sure to keep them out of the heat and that the water is lukewarm, not blazing hot if you are washing them. Also, never put them in your mouth while consuming a hot beverage.
Final words on the dos and don’ts of using invisible dental aligners
You should keep this list in mind if you’re seeking an invisible dental aligners treatment or already undergoing one. Furthermore, ask your dentist or orthodontist for more dos and don’ts of using invisible dental aligners without hesitation. They have better knowledge about issues that might harm your oral health. Additionally, even if following these guidelines can initially seem difficult, you will soon develop a routine that you can do without difficulty.
