If you are looking to straighten your teeth without metal brackets and wires, Invisalign is a great choice. Capable of doing most tooth movements that traditional braces can and doing them about as fast, Invisalign is a great choice for many people.
At Top Down Dental in San Jose, cosmetic dentist Dr. Nancy Nehawandian has helped many people get great results with Invisalign, and she’s discovered some ideas that can help many people get the most out of Invisalign. Here are some tips that can help you enjoy great results from your Invisalign treatment.
1. Wear Aligners for 22 Hours
One of the great benefits of Invisalign is that the aligners are removable. You can take them out for eating, drinking, and cleaning your teeth. You can also take them out for any occasion, such as if you have an important presentation and you’re not confident in speaking clearly with aligners.
However, remember that when aligners aren’t in, they’re not moving your teeth. So no matter why you might take them out, remember to keep them in for the recommended 22 hours a day as much as possible.
2. Never Eat with Aligners in
Invisalign aligners are designed to move your teeth. They’re not designed for biting and chewing. Eating while wearing aligners can damage them. The aligners can wear out, making them less effective at moving your teeth. They can also get stained.
Even worse, food can get into the aligners and get trapped against your teeth. Oral bacteria can use this food to attack your teeth and gums. If you want a snack, even a small quick one, take your aligners out.
3. Drink Only Water with Aligners in
Many people think that it’s okay to drink beverages like tea or coffee while wearing aligners. The reasoning is that you’re not chewing, and there’s no sugar to fuel tooth decay.
However, these beverages can also damage your aligners. Hot beverages can degrade the aligner plastic faster, making them less effective. In addition, the aligners can get stained, making them less invisible.
4. Clean Your Aligners
Understand how to clean your aligners properly, and make sure you do it as recommended. Use only approved cleaning products for your aligners. Don’t put them in boiling water or in the dishwasher (don’t laugh–people do it).
Also, make sure you clean your aligners on schedule. Don’t put off cleaning them, or they can gain odors and discoloration, and that doesn’t make for a good Invisalign experience.
5. Practice Great Oral Hygiene
But it’s not just your aligners that need to get cleaned. When you are using Invisalign, you need to practice great oral hygiene. You can just brush and floss your teeth normally, but make sure you’re doing it thoroughly to avoid the risk of bad breath and tooth decay.
6. Change Aligners on Time
With Invisalign, you’re in charge of your aligner schedule. Unlike traditional braces, where you have to go to your orthodontist for tightening appointments, you can move on to the next aligner when you want.
Make sure you’re making your changeover according to the instructions of your San Jose cosmetic dentist. Not doing the change on time will slow your treatment down. Doing it too fast can also lead to poor results. Set yourself an alarm on your phone if you find you are having trouble changing them on time.
7. Keep Your Old Aligners
It’s tempting to throw your aligners away as soon as you’re done with them but resist that temptation. Having one set of aligners on hand can help if you lose or damage an aligner.
It’s relatively quick and easy to replace your aligners, but it’s not instant. Having your old aligners can help you avoid losing progress while you wait for replacements–or fit a visit to your San Jose cosmetic dentist into your schedule.
8. Store Aligners Properly
You want to make sure your aligners are ready to use as soon as you’re ready for them. To do that, make sure you store your aligners in good conditions to preserve them. Also, remember where you put them. You don’t want to waste a lot of time hunting around for them.
9. Go to Checkups
You don’t have to go to your San Jose cosmetic dentist as much as you do with traditional braces. However, you do have to make occasional appointments to monitor your progress and make sure you are taking care of your teeth and your aligners. These are important, and you should not skip them.
10. Wear Your Retainers
When you finish the course of treatment, your teeth aren’t going to be fully stable. Wearing your retainers helps your body firm up the bone around your teeth to help them stay in their new straight alignment.
The good news is that wearing your aligners can make your results last essentially for the rest of your life. As long as you wear your aligners, your teeth will stay straight.
Get Invisalign in San Jose
If you are looking for the most convenient way to straighten your teeth without metal brackets and wires, you are looking for Invisalign. Let Dr. Nehawandian at Top Down Dental help you get great results with a great experience from your Invisalign.
Please call (408) 354-5600 or email Top Down Dental today, serving all of San Jose from Los Gatos, across the Street from Oak Meadows Park.
