Clear orthodontic aligners, such as Invisalign®, offer a discreet way to straighten your teeth without traditional metal braces. Instead of brackets and wires, clear aligners use a series of custom-made trays that gradually guide your teeth toward their planned positions.
Because your aligners spend much of the day in your mouth, taking good care of them is an important part of your treatment. Keeping your aligners clean and following your dentist's instructions can help keep them comfortable, clear, and in good condition throughout your treatment.
If you're considering Invisalign® in Crown Point, IN, here are some important tips for caring for your clear aligners.
What Are Clear Aligners?
Clear aligners are removable orthodontic trays designed to gradually move your teeth. Invisalign® is one of the most widely recognized clear-aligner systems and is available at Beacon Hill Dental in Crown Point. The practice identifies itself as an Invisalign Preferred Provider and offers Invisalign consultations.
Your dentist will evaluate your smile to determine whether clear aligner treatment is appropriate for your orthodontic needs. If you're a candidate, you'll receive a series of aligners and instructions for wearing and changing them throughout treatment.
Wear Your Aligners as Directed
One of the biggest advantages of clear aligners is that they're removable. However, that convenience also means you have to remember to put them back in.
Follow your Beacon Hill Dental team's instructions regarding how long to wear your Invisalign® aligners each day. Removing them too frequently or for extended periods can interfere with your treatment plan.
When you're not eating, drinking something other than water, or cleaning your teeth and aligners, your aligners should generally be in your mouth according to your prescribed wear schedule.
Remove Your Aligners Before Eating
One of the most important rules of clear-aligner care is to remove your aligners before eating.
Food can become trapped between your teeth and the aligners, increasing your exposure to bacteria and potentially contributing to plaque buildup and tooth decay. Eating while wearing your aligners can also stain or damage the trays.
Before a meal or snack, remove your aligners and place them somewhere clean and secure. After eating, clean your teeth before putting the aligners back in whenever possible.
Stick to Water While Wearing Your Aligners
Water is generally the best beverage to have while wearing clear aligners.
Other beverages, including coffee, tea, soda, juice, and sports drinks, can contain sugars, acids, or pigments that may contribute to tooth decay or staining. When consumed while wearing aligners, the liquid can become trapped against your teeth.
If you want to drink something other than water, remove your aligners first. Once you're finished, clean your teeth as appropriate before putting the aligners back in.
Keep Your Orthodontic Aligners Clean
Your aligners should be cleaned regularly to help prevent buildup and odors. When you remove your aligners, rinse them with lukewarm or cool water. You can also gently clean them using the method recommended by your dental team or aligner manufacturer.
Avoid using hot water. High temperatures can potentially distort the plastic and affect how your aligners fit.
Don't use abrasive products or harsh household cleaners unless specifically instructed by your dental professional. Your dentist can recommend an appropriate cleaning method for your particular aligners.
Don't Forget to Brush and Floss Your Teeth
Taking care of your aligners doesn't replace taking care of your teeth.
Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and clean between your teeth daily. It's especially important to maintain good oral hygiene during clear-aligner treatment because your teeth spend much of the day covered by the aligners.
Whenever you eat, food particles and plaque can remain on your teeth. Putting your aligners back over uncleaned teeth can keep those particles in close contact with your enamel.
Keeping both your teeth and aligners clean is an important part of maintaining your oral health throughout treatment.
Store Your Aligners Safely
When your aligners aren't in your mouth, keep them in their protective case.
It can be tempting to wrap your aligners in a napkin while you're eating, but this makes them easy to accidentally throw away. Leaving them loose on a table or counter can also expose them to bacteria or increase the risk of damage.
A protective case gives your aligners a clean, designated place to stay whenever you aren't wearing them.
Avoid These Common Clear-Aligner Mistakes
A few simple precautions can help protect your aligners throughout treatment.
Our Beacon Hill Dental team recommends avoiding:
- Eating while wearing your aligners
- Drinking anything other than water while wearing them
- Using hot water to clean your aligners
- Exposing aligners to harsh or abrasive cleaning products
- Leaving aligners loose in a purse, pocket, or on a countertop
- Wrapping them in a napkin where they can be accidentally discarded
- Chewing on your aligners
- Continuing to wear an aligner that is cracked, damaged, or no longer fitting properly without contacting your dentist
If an aligner becomes damaged or goes missing, contact your dental office for instructions rather than simply moving ahead to the next tray on your own.
What If My Aligners Become Cloudy?
Cloudiness, buildup, or an unpleasant odor can be signs that your aligners aren't being cleaned adequately.
Start by rinsing and cleaning your aligners according to your dentist's recommendations. Maintaining good oral hygiene can also help because bacteria and plaque from your teeth can transfer to your aligners.
If you're having persistent problems keeping your aligners clean, ask your dental team for specific recommendations.
Keep Your Invisalign® Treatment on Track
Clear aligners are designed to make orthodontic treatment more discreet and convenient, but your participation is an important part of the process. Wearing your aligners as directed, removing them before eating, drinking water while wearing them, and keeping both your teeth and trays clean can help you get the most from your treatment.
It's also important to attend your scheduled appointments so your dentist can monitor your progress and make adjustments to your treatment plan if needed.
Learn More About Invisalign in Crown Point, IN
If you're interested in straightening your teeth without traditional braces, Invisalign® may be an option worth discussing with your dentist. Beacon Hill Dental offers Invisalign clear aligners as part of its orthodontic services and provides consultations to help patients determine whether clear aligner treatment is appropriate for their smiles.
Interested in Invisalign® in Crown Point, IN? Contact Beacon Hill Dental to schedule a consultation and learn more about clear aligner treatment.
