Invisalign aligners are clear and removable teeth straightening appliances made from thermoplastic material. Invisalign is a custom treatment. Your dentist here at Park Lane will take impressions of your teeth, so that your aligners are a perfect fit for your teeth, rendering them safe and more effective than one-size-fits-all ‘boil and bite’ methods. The thermoplastic material is BPA-free which means your gums and cheeks will not be susceptible to irritation, unlike with traditional metal braces.
1. Avoid hot beverages when your aligners are in. Try to train yourself to remove your aligners before reaching for your hot drink. As your aligners are made from plastic resin, they are susceptible to change, moving out of their set position due to the heat. Eating with your aligner in will also cause food particles to become lodged in your brace, creating a breeding ground for bacteria to settle.
2. Clean your aligner trays regularly. Just because your Invisalign aligners are synthetic, it does not make them immune to bacteria (plaque and tartar). Try to avoid cleaning your aligners with harsh chemicals. A cleaning kit is effective for maintaining your aligners, as well as specific solutions. Your dentist here at Park Lane will advise you on which products to use and can show you how to clean your aligners. You can also simply rinse and brush them in lukewarm water.
3. Keep your aligners in a safe, cool and dry place. Your dentist will provide you with a case in which to keep your aligners. Failing to keep your aligners in a case when you’re not wearing them will result in them gathering debris and bacteria, which are never good for your mouth!
4. Don’t use mouthwash to clean your aligners, as certain products contain pigments which can stain your aligners.
5. Maintain a good dental hygiene routine. To make the treatment as effective as possible, it is paramount to sustain a healthy dental and oral hygiene routine. This means:
– Brushing your teeth twice a day for 2 minutes each time.
– Flossing at least once a day to remove food particles that can become lodged in your teeth. It takes roughly 3 hours for food to start attacking and staining your teeth and wearing down your tooth enamel. This means it’s important to remove any food particles as soon as possible, preventing your chance of tooth decay.
– Avoid the excessive consumption of alcohol and smoking.
– Avoid eating with your aligners in.
6. Contact sports. If you play contact sports, remove your aligners and use a protective mouth guard, as you do not want to risk damaging your aligners.