Congratulations on starting your Invisalign® journey! Now that you have your aligners, you’ll want to ensure you’re using them correctly to achieve the best results. Follow these five essential tips to make your treatment smooth and effective:
1) Wear your aligners for 22 hours a day
Unlike traditional braces that are "glued" to your teeth and work 24/7, Invisalign® aligners are removable. To maximize their effectiveness, wear them for at least 22 hours a day. While it’s okay to have an occasional “off day” for special events like weddings, consistently skipping hours will negatively impact your progress. Remember, the more you wear them, the better your results!
2) “Seat” Your Aligners by Chewing on Something Hard
Each aligner is designed to move your teeth incrementally, so you may notice small gaps between the aligner and your teeth when you first put them in. These gaps should disappear as your teeth shift into place, but to ensure this happens, practice "seating" your aligners by chewing on something firm, like the handle of your toothbrush or a tongue depressor. Spend 2-3 minutes chewing after brushing, paying special attention to hard-to-seat areas like your lower front teeth. If possible, add extra time chewing at night—the more, the better! If any gaps persist, continue wearing the aligner until they’re gone before switching to the next one.
3) Don’t Eat or Drink with Your Aligners In
You can only drink plain water with your aligners in. Eating or drinking anything else, even flavored water, can trap food particles between the aligner and your teeth, leading to cavities and discoloration of your aligners. Always remove your aligners for meals and snacks, brush your teeth afterward, clean your aligners, and put them back in immediately.
4) Always Store Your Aligners in Their Case
Aligners are expensive to replace, and losing them can delay your treatment. To avoid this, always put your aligners in their case when they’re not in your mouth. Never wrap them in a napkin, as they might get thrown away, and avoid putting them in your pocket, where they could end up in the laundry. Also, keep them out of reach of dogs, who love to chew on them!
5) Keep All of Your Aligners Until Told to Discard Them
In case you lose an aligner, it’s important to have your previous ones on hand. This way, you can wear the last aligner you used to maintain progress while your orthodontist creates a plan for replacing the missing one. Teeth have “memory,” and without aligners, they may shift back to their original positions. After your Invisalign® treatment, retainers will be essential to maintaining your new smile. You can read more about retainer wear in our post, "The 4 Golden Rules of Retainers" here.
Final Thoughts
These guidelines will help you get the most out of your Invisalign® treatment. It’s normal to feel some discomfort, especially with a new aligner. Over-the-counter pain medication, like Tylenol, can help ease any achiness. And remember, our team is here to support you throughout your journey—don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns.
You’re one step closer to your dream smile. Good luck with your Invisalign® treatment!
コメント