The Do’s & Don’ts While Wearing Invisible Aligners

So you’ve got your first set of clear aligners. Now what?

Wearing Invisalign in Cayce, SC is easy to get used to, but a few habits decide how well it works. Wear your aligners the right way and your teeth stay on track. Skip a step and you can end up with stained trays and teeth that fall behind.

Here’s what to do, and what to avoid, from day one.

The Do’s of Wearing Invisalign

Do Wear Them 20 to 22 Hours a Day

Your aligners only work while they’re in your mouth. For the best results, wear them 20 to 22 hours every day. Take them out to eat, to drink anything other than water, and to clean your teeth (and for sports, more on that below).

A good rule: if they’re not in your mouth, they should be in their case.

Do Brush and Floss Before Your Aligners Go Back In

Brush and floss before your aligners go back in, so you’re not sealing food and plaque in against your teeth.

Because the aligners come out, you can keep your usual routine. No wires to work around.

Do Clean Your Aligners Too

Rinse your aligners with lukewarm water every time you take them out. That helps stop bacteria from building up. Then brush them gently with a toothbrush and a non-abrasive toothpaste to keep them clean and clear.

Do Keep Your Case With You

Store your aligners in their case whenever they’re out of your mouth. A napkin at a restaurant is the fastest way to throw a set in the trash by accident. The case keeps them safe from loss and damage.

Do Expect a Little Pressure With Each New Set

When you switch to a new set, you may feel some pressure or mild discomfort. That’s your teeth moving. Most people get used to it within a few days.

Do Keep Your Check-Ups

You’ll usually see your dentist every 4 to 6 weeks during treatment. At Soda City Dentistry, those visits are how we check your progress and give you your next set of aligners. Keep them on the calendar, along with your regular teeth cleaning in Columbia, SC.

The Don’ts of Wearing Invisalign

Don’t Eat or Drink With Them In (Except Water)

Take your aligners out before you eat or drink anything other than plain water. Coffee, tea, red wine, soda and colored foods can stain your trays. If you do have something colored, brush your teeth before you put your aligners back in.

The upside? You can still eat your favorite foods. Just pop your aligners out first.

Don’t Use Hot Water

Hot water and heat can warp your aligners, and a warped tray won’t fit your teeth the way it should. Clean them with lukewarm water only, and don’t leave them in a hot car or on a sunny windowsill.

Don’t Leave Them Out for Hours

A long lunch here and a forgotten tray there adds up. Your aligners only move your teeth while you’re wearing them. Put them back in as soon as you’ve eaten and brushed.

Don’t Swap Sets on Your Own

Your next set comes at your check-up, so keep wearing the one you have until then.

Playing Sports? Slip Them Out

One of the perks of clear aligners over metal braces is that they come out for sports. Slip them out before the game, store them in their case, and put them back in afterward.

Ready for a Straighter Smile?

Invisalign can help with crowded teeth and gaps. It also treats overbites, underbites, open bites and crossbites. Clear aligners aren’t right for everyone, so the first step is a visit with Dr. Rob Guerriero, who will look at your smile and talk you through whether clear aligners in Columbia, SC are a good fit for you.

Soda City Dentistry is a dentist in Cayce, SC, and we see people from all over Columbia too. Already wearing aligners and something feels off, or thinking about starting? Schedule an appointment in Columbia, SC online, or call us at (803) 794-5430.