Over 12 million people have chosen Invisalign clear aligners for straightening their teeth without braces. Invisalign treatment is part of the cutting-edge technology we offer at Todd Whitlock Dentistry, and it is the best option for many of our patients seeking a comfortable way to achieve a beautiful smile.
Getting Invisalign is just the first step toward Invisalign success. We have many suggestions about how to make Invisalign work faster,
Here are our top 10 Invisalign tips for our patients getting Invisalign treatment:
1. Start your treatment right
The first 48 hours are critical for Invisalign success. Don't try your invisible aligners for a few minutes, take them out, and make a mental note to try them again tomorrow. Wear them at least 22 hours a day for the first two days, so your teeth can begin to move into the right alignment for your eventual, beautiful smile.
Taking aligners in and out except for eating and brushing your teeth for the first two days cancels out all your progress. That's also true every time you get new aligners.
2. Wear your aligners 22 hours a day
There are many advantages to Invisalign. You can eat the foods you want. You can play wind instruments. You can even chew gum—after you temporarily take your aligners out.
But don't forget to put them back in! You need to wear your aligners 22 hours a day to get a beautiful smile fast.
3. Change your aligners on time
For Invisalign to work, you have to keep your appointment with your dentist. And when your dentist tells you that you should use your aligners a little longer, or you need to change them right now, it is important that's what you do. If your jaw is still growing, the only way to straighten your teeth is to keep up with their growth. And even if you are an adult using Invisalign, success depends a great deal on changing aligners on schedule.
4. Know that you’ll need to get used to them
The simple fact is that for at least a day or so, your aligners will feel a little strange in your mouth. Your mouth may feel full, and you could even notice a difference when you're talking.
The strange sensations go away if you follow one simple rule, a rule we have mentioned before:
Wear your Invisalign aligners at least 22 hours a day!
One of the big advantages of straightening your teeth with Invisalign is you don't have a lot of the sensations you get with metal braces. You don't feel wires poking your gums or your tongue. You don't feel like your braces are too tight. You don't feel food caught in your braces.
Invisalign is a lot more comfortable than regular braces. They are much easier to get used to.
5. Practice your speech
Some Invisalign patients develop a slight lisp for the first few days that they wear their Invisalign aligners. Don't worry. Your tongue just needs to get used to touching your teeth very slightly differently when you wear your aligners. With a little practice, your voice will sound just like normal in a day or two.
6. Practice good oral health
One of the responsibilities that comes with wearing Invisalign aligners is making sure that you brush after every meal and floss twice a day. Mouthwash is helpful, but not enough to get that deep clean you need when going through Invisalign treatment.
Your aligners press tightly against your teeth. They prevent your saliva from washing away food particles and bacteria from your teeth.
The only way to prevent tartar, plaque, and cavities when you are using Invisalign is to make sure you brush and floss on a regular schedule. This means brushing and flossing after lunch, too, so you will need to get into the habit of taking your toothbrush with you when you don't eat meals at home.
7. Clean your aligners
Proper cleaning is essential for avoiding bad breath when you have Invisalign. Every time you take out your Invisalign trays, you must clean them properly. That's because the small amount of saliva that gets caught beneath your trays dries out into a sticky, smelly coating on your teeth if you don't. This unpleasant gunk is the perfect environment for growing the bacteria that cause bacteria, gum disease, and tooth decay.
Use Retainer Brite, or, better yet, the official Invisalign cleaning crystals to keep your trays clean, clear, and sanitized. You can also clean your aligners with clear antibacterial soap, rinsing them well before you put them back in. But don't clean your aligners with toothpaste, because it can scratch the clear plastic.
8. Drink lots of water
The first few days you wear Invisalign, your mouth senses something is different inside and generates a lot of saliva to try to wash it away. You need to drink water every hour or so to keep your mouth from drying out and feeling uncomfortable. It's a good habit for life, even after Invisalign has perfected your smile.
9. Think about long-term after-care
Even after you have completed teeth straightening, Dr. Whitlock may recommend you use your Invisalign tray or a night retainer occasionally just to keep your smile looking great. By then you will be used to the routine and it won't be any real trouble at all.
10. Follow Through With Regular Checkups
If using Invisalign aligners to straighten your teeth, you don’t need to get your braces tightened or adjusted like traditional braces. Still, it is advisable to go for occasional checkups to ensure the treatment is working. Always follow through with future checkups to ensure Invisalign treatment is successful.
Still wondering "Is Invisalign effective?" or "Does Invisalign work?" We are available to answer all your questions. Call Todd Whitlock Dentistry at (812) 332-0052, or contact us online. We're here to give you the great smile you deserve!