The Do’s and Don’ts When Wearing Invisalign in Torrance

When compared to traditional braces, Invisalign in Torrance sounds like a dream come true. It’s so much easier to switch from one pair of aligners to the next without worry of changing your diet, oral care routine, or appearance. While aligners offer patients a new level of convenience and comfort compared to metal braces, they do require a certain level of commitment and discipline.

Instead of having to deal with a metal mouth and limited diet, you’ll need to know these key do’s and don’ts of Invisalign use.

Do: Clean Your Aligners Every Day

As you wear your aligners, plaque and bacteria will begin sticking to the inside and outside areas. This will make them smell poor and can even get in the way of your alignment if not cleaned regularly.

Every time you remove your aligners to brush, place them in a glass of water with denture cleanser or use Invisalign’s own brand of cleaning crystals to sanitize them as you brush. Once you finish your oral care routine, use a dedicated brush to remove loose food particles and plaque off.

Don’t: Use Harmful Ingredients to Clean Them

While you may think that your toothpaste or soap is a good ingredient for cleaning aligners, your dentist advises against it. Toothpaste often contains harmful abrasives that can scratch them, affecting their transparent appearance. Assuming you don’t want to taste soap while wearing your aligners, avoid using soft or scented soap to clean them as well. These can also cause them to change color.

Do: Remove Your Aligners While Eating, Drinking, and Chewing Gum

While the thermoplastic material used to make aligners is durable, they weren’t made to withstand constant chewing or exposure to liquids that aren’t water. Chewing food or gum while wearing aligners can crack them, forcing you to replace your pair and prolong treatment. The same could happen if you stain your veneers when drinking richly pigmentated beverages and don’t like how they look.

Don’t: Leave Them Out to Dry

After removing your aligners to eat or drink, you want to make sure that they stay in their dedicated case. Letting them air dry will allow bacteria from the air and existing bacteria from your mouth to move around and multiply. Also, make sure to rinse them regularly to keep them smelling fresh throughout the day.

Do: Wear Them as Much as Possible

Invisalign is typically not recommended for very young patients due to the amount of self-discipline needed for them to be effective. To keep your realignment on schedule, patients need to wear their aligners for at least 20 to 22 hours a day. Any less could prolong treatment and even cause your teeth to shift back into their crooked position.

Want more advice before you start your journey to a straighter smile? Schedule a consultation with your cosmetic dentist in Torrance today!

About the Author

Thanks to a three-year orthodontics course and a certification to use Invisalign, Dr. Sanaz Hamzehpour is more than qualified to create an orthodontic treatment that guides patients towards a healthier and more attractive smile. To learn more about her experience or practice, contact her through her website.