Are you thinking of having your orthodontic issue treated with Invisalign clear aligners? You might be curious to learn what you can and can't do with them on a daily basis. Today, our Thornhill dentists list some tips to remember.
What can I do while using clear aligners?
For many patients, treatment with clear aligners can help them achieve straighter teeth and reach their smile goals. That said, there are some things that will remain unchanged during your treatment. Here are some things you'll be able to do with Invisalign clear aligners:
DO: Eat anything you want
Since you'll be able to remove your clear aligners, you can continue eating your favourite foods, from healthy crunchy vegetables to pizza crust, with clear aligners you won't have any restrictions to comply with.
DO: Remove your aligners to brush, floss, drink and eat
Needing to remove your clear aligners to brush,m floss, drink and eat can present both advantages and challenges.
Because you won't need to brush or floss around wires or brackets, you'll be able to brush and floss carefully (and eliminate all those tiny food particles than can easily lead to bacteria getting trapped between your teeth and your aligners). You can (and should) also take your aligners out to eat or drink anything other than water.
That said, all meals must fit into the two hours of time that you're able to have your aligners off each day. This is because you'll need to wear them for 22 hours each day. Soon, you'll be brushing like a pro, scheduling your meal times, and cutting back on snacking.
DO: Drink water while wearing your aligners
Though you shouldn’t eat or drink coloured food or beverages while wearing your clear aligners, you can drink water, which will keep you hydrated. This is important for your health, and also because clear aligners can make some patients salivate excessively.
DO: Change to your next set of aligners before bed
You may feel some minor discomfort for the first day or two when you switch to a new set of aligners, as your teeth shift positions.
While this is totally normal, it can still be annoying. One way to address this is to switch to your next set of clear aligners before going to bed for the night, so you’ll sleep away those first few hours.
What can't I do with clear aligners?
There are a few changes and adjustments you'll have to make to your daily life during your clear aligner treatment. Here are a few little things you can't do with clear aligners:
DON'T: Forget to wear your aligners
Your self-discipline and commitment to the treatment will be a huge part of your success with clear aligners. You’ll need to wear them for 22 hours each day for your treatment to work as prescribed and your orthodontic issue to be successfully resolved.
So, don’t forget to put your aligners back in each time you take them out to eat, drink, brush, floss or do activities such as playing sports or practicing a musical instrument.
DON'T: Clean your aligners with a toothbrush and toothpaste
Though you need to keep your aligners clean, you shouldn’t use your regular toothbrush and toothpaste on them as they are too abrasive and could scratch the plastic. Instead, soak them in a special solution meant for clear aligners, denture cleaner or rinse them with water.
DON'T: Forget to brush and floss your teeth before each wear
Excellent oral hygiene is critical to your routine - even more so now that you’re wearing clear aligners, as any bacteria or food particles will be caught between your teeth and your aligners until the next time you brush.
That’s why you’ll want to brush and floss your teeth before each wear, and every time after you eat or drink anything other than water.
DON'T: Drink coloured drinks while wearing your aligners
Coloured drinks such as pop, wine and fruit smoothies will stain the clear, transparent plastic of your aligners - yuck.
If you want to drink any beverages other than water, you’ll need to remove your aligners, drink up (keeping in mind your food and drink schedule for the day) and brush and floss your teeth before putting your clear aligners back in.
DON'T: Skip check-ins with your dentist
Though you won’t have to attend appointments to have tightening adjustments as you would for braces, it’s still important to check in on your progress with your dentist.
These appointments will give you an opportunity to ask any questions you may have, address concerns about your treatment, and make sure you are on track to complete your treatment successfully and on time, or adjust course if needed.
