One of the most important aspects of successful Invisalign treatment is consistent use. Here are some pointers from our Surdel Dental Centre dentists to help you stay on track with your Invisalign treatment.
How can I make it easier to stick with my Invisalign treatment?
You've begun your Invisalign treatment and are on your way to a straighter smile. Congratulations! It may feel overwhelming at first as you adjust to your new treatment and become accustomed to wearing your clear aligners.
Getting used to your new routine will take practice, patience, and dedication. Our Delta dentists share some tips to help you get the most out of your Invisalign treatment.
Commit to Wearing Your Invisalign Aligners Full-Time
It can be difficult adjusting to your new lifestyle with your clear aligners, but it's important to commit to your treatment process.
You'll need to wear your aligners the majority of the time — typically about 22 hours per day — for them to work properly and help you achieve your goals by the end of your treatment. You will remove your aligners to eat, drink, and brush your teeth, but you must replace them as soon as possible after these activities.
When patients are not diligent about meeting their recommended wear time, it can cause issues and cause your Invisalign treatment schedule to fall behind schedule.
If you find yourself forgetting to put your aligners back in after a routine activity, such as brushing your teeth in the morning, set a reminder on your phone to help you remember. Some apps can track your wear time to ensure that you stay as close to the recommended time as possible.
Clean Your Aligners While You Eat
Because you won't be able to wear your aligners while eating anyway, take advantage of this time to clean your trays by soaking them in a cleaning solution while you eat.
Soak them in Invisalign cleaning solution, diluted mouthwash, or denture cleaner (make sure none of these are coloured, as coloured solutions will stain your aligners). To keep your aligners fresh and clean, do this twice a week. When not soaking your clear aligners, gently brush them with mild anti-bacterial soap and water, rinsing thoroughly before replacing them. This will keep bacteria from growing, which can lead to bad breath and tooth damage.
Make Wearing Your Aligners More Comfortable
When you first start wearing Invisalign, you may notice that the edges of the aligners feel strange in your mouth, and many people find themselves running their tongue along the edges of the trays. This can result in cuts on your tongue that develop into painful sores.
While this problem improves after your mouth gets used to the aligners, you can use dental wax in the meantime to cover any rough edges and keep your tongue from being cut.
Learn to Speak With Your Aligners In
You will almost certainly hear yourself speaking with a lisp when you first start wearing your aligners in your mouth. This is normal as your mouth adjusts to having your aligners in. Your speech will gradually return to normal once you've adapted. Meanwhile, practice speaking by chatting with a friend, singing along to your favourite songs, or reading aloud.
Looking for more information on how to stick to your Invisalign treatment? For assistance, contact Surdel Dental Centre right away.