When it comes to wearing Invisalign clear aligners, it’s normal to get excited about straightening your teeth with a more discreet form of treatment that is flexible and produces faster results. But what do you know about caring for Invisalign in Ponte Vedra Beach? While they are easier to maneuver than traditional metal braces, you still need to know what to do and what not to do to avoid a potential delay in treatment. Here are 4 tips that are designed to help you take better care of your clear braces.
Soak Your Invisalign in the Right Solution
You can purchase Invisalign Cleaning Crystals to help remove bacteria and saliva, but there are other solutions you can use that are more cost-effective, such as:
- Hydrogen peroxide, as it helps to lift stains
- Clear, antibacterial soap
- Baking soda
- Distilled white vinegar
Any of these can help keep your aligners free of plaque, bacteria, stains, and other harmful particles. You just want to be sure that you thoroughly rinse your trays before reinserting them into your mouth.
Protect Your Aligners
When taking your aligners out to eat or drink, make sure to keep them in a protective case. If you put them inside a napkin, there is a good chance they could be picked up and thrown away by accident. By placing them in a secure location, you not only avoid the potential of losing them but also limiting their exposure to bad bacteria in the air.
Adopt Healthy Cleaning Habits
Apart from soaking your Invisalign once a day, you should also be equipped to properly clean your trays daily. You can do this by using a soft-bristled toothbrush, clear soap, and lukewarm water. There is also the option to use effervescent tablets before brushing. Just make sure to never use toothpaste on your aligners, as it is abrasive and can scratch the plastic, and do not rinse with hot water, as it can warp your tray. Should this happen, you’ll be required to meet with your dentist to discuss whether you can move ahead to the next set in the series or have a new aligner created.
Never Eat or Drink While Wearing Invisalign
Yes, Invisalign is durable, but it’s not indestructible. The pressure you apply when eating food can damage your trays and delay your treatment. Also, drinking certain beverages can leave stains that cause your aligners to be more apparent. This is why you are strongly encouraged to remove your Invisalign before engaging in eating or drinking (anything but water).
Caring for and cleaning Invisalign in Ponte Vedra Beach isn’t difficult as long as you follow the instructions provided by your dentist. By being mindful of your trays and how to keep them safe and clean will allow you to enjoy your treatment and look forward to a straighter smile.
About the Author
Dr. Eric Townsend earned his bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from the University of Florida and his doctorate from the Medical College of Virginia School of Dentistry. As a dentist at Ponte Vedra Complete Dentistry, he and his colleagues will work with you to determine how best to straighten your teeth and realign your smile. Offering Invisalign as a proven method of treatment, Dr. Townsend will explain the process of wearing your clear aligners as well as how to properly care for them, contact us at (904) 285-7711.