Did you know that the market for clear aligners is expected to grow to around $5.5 billion by the year 2027? Clear aligners, like Invisalign, are a more popular option for people who want to straighten their teeth.
Invisalign involves a series of clear aligners that are placed over teeth to gradually shift them. Unlike braces, they are much more aesthetically attractive and sometimes even have a shorter treatment period.
Have you considered Invisalign as an alternative to braces? Here are some tips for Invisalign so you know if it is the right choice for you.
Retainers are key in keeping your teeth in position after treatment
Expect Them to Be Uncomfortable
Similar to braces, you need to regularly get new aligners in order to shift your teeth to the right position. When you change your aligners every few weeks, there will be initial pain for a few days.
To help with the pain, it is a good idea to take over-the-counter pain relievers like Ibuprofen or Tylenol. These will reduce pain and inflammation in your teeth and gums when you change your liners.
If you want to avoid further stress on your teeth, you can try to eat soft and cold foods. Some of the best things to eat after you change your aligners include:
- yogurt
- ice cream
- popsicles
- smoothies
- mashed potatoes
- oatmeal
Keep Your Aligners Clean
Aligners are invisible, so you should try to keep them as clean as possible. If not, the aligners can get cloudy or stained, making them much more noticeable.
When you clean your trays, make sure to use room temperature water. Hot water can kill bacteria, but it can also cause the plastic aligners to soften. Cold water may make the plastic contract.
If you want a special cleaner for your aligners, try a good denture cleaner or just use clear soap. Both of these will eliminate bacteria and germs, but they are not harsh on your aligners.
Maintain Good Oral Hygiene
For more information about overall good oral hygiene, you should talk to your dentist. He or she will know what more you can do to help keep your teeth clean and healthy to get optimal Invisalign results.
You should brush your teeth at least twice a day, along with flossing and mouthwash. It is optimal to brush and floss after every meal as well, to make sure you do not encourage bacteria growth.
Cleaning with orthodontics can be extra tricky, so you may need to take your hygiene habits a step up to maintain your teeth while treating them with Invisalign. Visit this website for more information on how to keep your mouth in great shape while you are straightening teeth.
Check In With Your Doctor
One of the benefits of Invisalign as an alternative to braces is that you do not need to visit your orthodontist to get your braces tightened. Instead, you simply pick up your new aligners or have them shipped to your home.
However, you should still check in regularly with your doctor so that you know where your treatment is headed. Your doctor can make adjustments if needed so that you can get your desired Invisalign results.
If you have questions about your treatment, it is important to talk to your orthodontist. He or she may have good advice on how to deal with some of the most common issues with orthodontics.
Avoid Eating With Aligners
You should always take your aligners out before you eat food. Try not to snack too much during the day, so that you will not have to take them out constantly.
Generally, you should be wearing your aligners for about 22 hours a day if you want to see good results in your treatment period. If you have to take your aligners out to eat, place them in their case or another sanitary spot. You should also clean them before putting them back in your mouth.
Even though you do not have to take your aligners out to drink water, you should still avoid beverages other than water. These can cause damage or staining to your aligners that will make them more noticeable.
Stay Away From Hot Beverages
You can drink warm drinks with Invisalign, but you should make sure that they are not too hot. Hot liquid can melt or damage your aligners, so that they may not fit your teeth when you put them back in.
If you want to have a coffee or tea while out, you can ask for your drink warm. For example, Starbucks has a temperature setting called “kid temperature,” so the drink will still be pleasant, but will not scald your mouth and liners.
In general, it might be a good idea to cut back on hot beverages so you will not have to worry about this problem. If you have a caffeine issue, then you can avoid drinking too much coffee or tea during your orthodontics treatment.
Hold On to All Your Aligners
In the course of your treatment, you should receive new aligners every few weeks, depending on your doctor’s schedule. However, it is always a good idea to keep old aligners in case you need them later.
For example, if your new aligner gets broken, you can use your old aligner as a substitute while you wait for a new one. That way, your teeth will not shift out of place as much. It is better than going without aligners for any period of time.
Just like wearing retainers after traditional orthodontics, you will lose progress if you take off your aligners for too long.
Be Successful With These Tips for Invisalign
You may still be on the fence about straightening teeth with Invisalign rather than traditional orthodontics. If you have tips for Invisalign, you will be completely prepared to tackle any problem that comes your way during your treatment.
Want to learn more about keeping your teeth pristine? Check out our Health section for answers to all your questions.
