5 Strategies to Make the Most of Invisalign®

Invisalign® is one of the most popular orthodontic treatments, with more than 17 million people having used it worldwide. The clear, removable aligners blend in with your teeth and make it easy to discreetly correct crowding, crooked teeth, and other alignment issues. 

If you’ve recently started wearing clear aligners, it’s normal to wonder what you can do to get the best results. At Family Dental Group, with offices in Gardner, Northborough, and Paxton, Massachusetts, Nikhil Lavana, DMD, Archana Kharkanis-Lavana, DMD, and our team regularly prescribe Invisalign. 

This article highlights five strategies you can use to get the most out of treatment.

1. Wear your aligners as prescribed

Invisalign aligners aren’t bonded to your teeth like traditional metal braces. Removing them is convenient, but if you take them out too often or for extended periods, they won’t place the necessary pressure on your teeth to move them into the proper position, affecting your results. 

Try to wear your aligners for 20-22 hours daily, only removing them to brush and floss or eat. You can also remove them for special events, such as a wedding or work presentation. Just make sure to put them back in as soon as possible.

2. Keep your aligners clean

Clear aligners collect food particles, bacteria, and plaque, which can cause noticeable buildup, stains, or odors if you don’t clean them regularly.

Rinse your aligners in cool tap water whenever you remove them, and avoid warm or hot water as it can cause warping. At night, after brushing your teeth, gently scrub your aligners with a soft-bristle toothbrush. Avoid toothpaste, which can damage the plastic, and use gentle soap or Invisalign cleaning crystals instead.

3. Attend each of your checkups

During Invisalign treatment, you need to change your aligners every one to two weeks. Each subsequent set of aligners places slightly different pressure on your teeth, moving them into proper alignment.

To ensure this process goes smoothly, you must visit our office for regular checkups. Attend each appointment as scheduled and let us know if you need to reschedule, because even a few days’ delay can affect your progress and extend treatment.

4. Practice good oral hygiene

Food particles and plaque can easily get trapped beneath your Invisalign aligners. That might not seem like a big deal, but over time, it can increase your risk of cavities, gum disease, and bad breath.

Maintain consistent oral hygiene throughout treatment. Brush your teeth twice daily, floss regularly, and visit our office every six months for professional cleaning and an oral exam.

5. Stay hydrated

Invisalign aligners collect bacteria throughout the day. There’s no way to stop this entirely, but drinking plenty of water can help rinse your aligners and prevent dry mouth. Avoid sugary beverages to reduce the risk of cavities, and limit black tea and coffee, because they contain tannins that can stain your aligners.

Ready to start Invisalign treatment?

Invisalign offers a safe, discreet way to improve your tooth alignment and transform your smile. It’s worth exploring if you have crooked, crowded, or overlapping teeth. Call our nearest office or book online to schedule a new patient visit today.