When it comes to straightening teeth, clear aligners are an option that many teens and adults are choosing for themselves. A benefit they offer is that they are much more discreet compared to traditional braces. However, before you start your treatment, it’s important you learn more about it and answer questions like “how does Invisalign work?” To help you feel more prepared, here are four details you need to know.
1.) You’ll Need to Wear Your Aligners for 22 Hours Every Day
Many people love clear aligners because you can remove them to eat. While this doesn’t affect your diet, it’s important you remember to put them back in. You will need to wear them for 20 to 22 hours every day, or else you might get delays in your treatment. Thankfully, by setting alarms and reminders, you can make sure you don’t forget about them.
2.) You Should Only Drink Water While Wearing Your Trays
While you have your Invisalign in, you should only drink water. Eating and having any other beverage can lead to stains or increase your risk of oral health issues like cavities. Not only that, but you might also damage your trays. This will likely call for a replacement that will need time to come in.
3.) You’ll Have to Tighten Your Dental Hygiene Routine
Brushing and flossing are a crucial part of keeping your smile free from problems, but they become even more important with aligners. Plaque and bacteria can transfer to them if you don’t clean them off, causing cavities or even gum disease. To ensure this doesn’t happen, you will need to keep up with doing your oral hygiene routine twice a day, plus after meals.
4.) You Might Need Attachments Placed
Some patients will also need Invisalign attachments. These are buttons that help the trays apply more directed pressure. They will be strategically placed onto your teeth using a tooth-colored material. Although they might feel odd at first, they will be harder to see, so you don’t need to worry about people looking at them.
Clear aligners are a great choice for many patients, but you should feel your best about choosing them before you start your journey with them. By remembering the four facts above and talking with your dentist, you can be confident knowing the investment you’ll make in your smile will get you the healthier bite you deserve.
About the Practice
At Elite Dental of Fountain Valley, you benefit from the skilled leadership of Dr. Sara Saber and Dr. Nischit Shah. We are dedicated to helping the local community get the straighter set of teeth they love with reliable treatments like Invisalign. By sticking with you during your treatment, you can do your best to avoid delays. If you want to know more about clear aligners, schedule an appointment or call our office at (714) 962-4486.