At Palm Harbor Family Dentistry in Palm Harbor, FL, our experienced dentists and staff know the importance of having a beautiful smile! We are proud to offer state-of-the-art treatments to successfully straighten your teeth, including offering Invisalign for both teens and adults!
As Invisalign clear braces are quickly becoming a more popular alternative to traditional metal braces, it’s crucial for all of our Invisalign patients to get the most out of their treatment, thus ensuring healthy, straight teeth that are both brilliant and beautiful! For the most successful Invisalign treatment possible, our team has compiled a list of 10 tips and tricks below:
1. The First 48 Rule
For the first 48 hours of your Invisalign treatment, make sure to wear each aligner tray as much as possible! Our dentists at Palm Harbor Family Dentistry recommend only removing your trays to brush your teeth for the first two days, getting them back into place as quickly as possible. The initial stage of Invisalign is crucial for accurate treatment throughout your teeth straightening process.
2. 22 Hours-A-Day Keeps Crooked Teeth Away
In comparison to the permanence of traditional metal braces, Invisalign only works if you actually wear your trays for the majority of your day! In order to get fast, accurate results, an Invisalign patient must wear their trays for at least 22 hours a day. No ifs, ands, or buts about it!
3. Changing Your Aligners On Time
If Dr. Massey says it’s time to change your aligner tray, then it’s time! If he tells you to keep your old tray in just a little longer, let it be! Don’t rush ahead and think your treatment will accelerate if you move on to your next tray. Patience is key with Invisalign! Much like traditional braces, it takes the final opinion of a professional dentist to let you know how long each tray should be worn.
4. Getting Past The Strange Sensations
For the first couple of days of treatment, most Invisalign patients say that they can feel their trays pushing against their teeth. While slightly uncomfortable in the beginning, Invisalign aligners are not painful and become less noticeable the more you wear them. By sticking to the 22 hours-a-day rule, you will get used to your trays more rapidly than if you constantly take them in and out.
5. Speaking With Invisalign Trays
When you first put in your brand new Invisalign trays, you may notice that you’ll speak with a slight lisp. Much like the initial strange sensations of the trays, the more you wear them and practice speaking in them, the faster your lisp will go away.
6. Keeping Your Mouth Extra Clean
With the convenient ability to remove your Invisalign aligners at any time, it’s integral to keep your teeth adequately brushed and flossed daily. While your aligners are pressed tightly against your teeth, your saliva will not be able to naturally wash away any of the gunk left behind, causing unwanted bacteria build-up directly on the enamel of your teeth. Thoroughly brushing and flossing your teeth after every meal will help maintain great oral hygiene during your Invisalign treatment process, preventing plaque, tartar, and cavities.
7. Properly Caring For Your Aligners
Every time you remove your Invisalign trays, it’s crucial to clean them properly. Dry saliva and plaque create a perfect breeding ground for foul-smelling bacteria. Soaking your aligners in denture cleaner, Retainer Brite, or the official Invisalign cleaning crystals are all excellent options for keeping your trays clear and sanitized.
You can also clean your aligners with clear, antibacterial soft soap. Clear, antibacterial soap is an excellent and inexpensive way to keep your aligners clear, fresh, and free from harmful bacteria. As a side note, it’s not advised to use toothpaste to clean your trays, as this will scratch the plastic and create places for bacteria to live inside your aligners.
8. Drinking Lots Of Water
With your Invisalign trays in place, it’s important to drink a lot of water! As with traditional braces, your mouth is going to sense that something foreign is present, causing you to produce a lot of extra saliva and quickly becoming dehydrated. Like any dental treatment, Dr. Massey will walk you through a strict regimen on how much water you should drink, and what types of drinks you should avoid.
9. Using Your Invisalign Trays Post-Treatment
Using your Invisalign trays properly is as simple as following doctor’s orders! After Invisalign treatment is complete, some patients choose to not wear their trays at all, which means they could lose some of their progress. By accurately following post-care instructions from Dr. Massey, you’re ensuring that your Invisalign treatment will continue to work properly for the long haul.
10. Contact Your Palm Harbor Florida Dentist Today
With state-of-the-art Invisalign technology and in-depth experience, our dentists at Palm Harbor Family Dentistry in Palm Harobr, FL will provide you with the best ways to get the most out of your Invisalign treatment. With these 10 tips and tricks, we are positive that Invisalign will give you the results you’re looking for! Don’t hesitate to contact us today for all of your questions or concerns regarding proper Invisalign procedures and care!
