When people need to undergo orthodontic treatment to correct issues such as crooked or gapped teeth or a bad bite (malocclusion), many choose Invisalign® over traditional metal braces because of the benefits this teeth-straightening system offers.
Invisalign uses a series of clear trays made of a thermoplastic material to encourage your teeth to move. You swap out one tray for the next tray in the series every few weeks.
The smooth and nearly invisible nature of the trays makes them both comfortable and aesthetically pleasing. In addition, you can conveniently remove the trays to eat and clean your teeth.
While Invisalign certainly has a lot going for it, this orthodontic treatment does require some intentional care on your part. Not only do you need to wear the trays for 22 hours a day, but they also need specialized care so they don’t become damaged, lost, or bacteria-ridden.
Lynn M. Andreacola, DMD, provides Invisalign at Andreacola Family Dentistry in Marlton, New Jersey, for beautiful and healthy smiles. In order to make sure your investment of time and money pays off, our team is offering these helpful tips for taking care of your Invisalign trays.
Even though you only wear a set of Invisalign trays for a few weeks at a time, it’s still important to be vigilant about keeping each tray clean. If food particles and bacteria build up inside the tray, all of that debris is sitting against your teeth, leaving you vulnerable to oral health issues.
Each night when you brush and floss your teeth, clean your Invisalign trays as well, following these steps:
Additionally, you can clean them after eating or when they’re visibly dirty. If you find that these cleaning measures aren’t enough, we can provide you with specialized cleaning materials.
If you aren’t eating, drinking staining beverages, or brushing your teeth, you must wear your Invisalign trays. When you do take out your trays for these reasons, it’s imperative that you place them in their storage containers.
When you’re eating, whether it’s at home or somewhere else, it can be tempting to set them aside or wrap them up in a napkin. However, this is risky because it’s easy to forget where you placed them, and you may even end up throwing them away by mistake.
For this reason, keep your tray storage cases with you when you leave the house and always place your trays inside them for safe keeping whenever they aren’t in your mouth.
Not only do you need to be careful about not eating foods that are overly sticky and chewy and not drinking particularly staining beverages, but you also need to thoroughly clean your teeth before reinserting your trays. Prioritizing these practices keeps your trays clean and your teeth healthy.
Sometimes life happens, and you might break or misplace one of your Invisalign trays. As soon as you notice that a tray is lost or broken, call our office to get it replaced quickly. Going too long without an Invisalign tray can affect treatment efficacy and timing.
To schedule an appointment for Invisalign care at Andreacola Family Dentistry, simply call our office or use our online booking.
