If your dentist in Sherwood Park confirms you’re a good candidate for using Invisalign’s aligners to straighten your teeth, you’ll probably feel very excited to get started. Your dentist and their staff will give you detailed instructions about how to accomplish your goals by carefully following your treatment plan. We’d understand if some of those details went over your head in nervous anticipation of getting started and of straighter teeth.
Here are five tips to keep in mind to maximize the benefits of straightening your teeth with Invisalign in Sherwood Park. By following all of these tips carefully — along with the instructions of your dentist — you’ll be able to accomplish your goals quickly and comfortably.
Try to wear your aligners 22 hours every day
Invisalign’s aligners only straighten your teeth while you’re wearing them. Obvious as that may seem, it means they aren’t working when you take them out to eat, drink, brush, floss, or for selfies and the like. We know that the ability to remove your aligners is one of the best features of Invisalign, you need to take advantage of that opportunity carefully. Your treatment plan and schedule will be based on wearing your aligners for 20 to 22 hours a day. The more often you take them out and the longer you leave them out, the longer it’ll take to achieve your ultimate goal.
Track your time
Invisalign recommends wearing your aligners at least 20 hours a day. Your dentist will recommend you aim for 22 hours a day. Whatever target you choose, achieving that goal means you have limited minutes available to eat, brush, floss, etc. without your aligners. To keep track of how long your aligners have been out of your mouth, keep track of how long your aligners have been out of your mouth. Use the stopwatch function on your smartphone, or a simple notebook. But — especially in the early weeks of your treatment plan — keep close track.
Start new aligners as you sleep
You may find that your teeth are sore for the first few hours or a day after switching to a new aligner. One way to make that time seem like it’s going by faster is to switch aligners — when your schedule prompts you to do so — start your new aligner just before going to bed. The discomfort won’t be significant enough to keep you up, but you’ll avoid being distracted during the day.
Don’t be too quick to toss the aligners you’ve finished wearing
We know that you’ll be really careful not to lose an aligner, but accidents happen. Sometimes luggage is lost, or the dog gets a hold of things he shouldn’t, or things fall into a garbage compactor — egads! — but the last thing you want is an interruption of your treatment plan. A lost aligner can be replaced with the help of a dentist near you, but you’ll lose your progress during the week or two it might take to replace… unless you have your prior aligner on hand. Wearing your prior aligner won’t push your treatment forward, but at least it’ll maintain the progress you’ve made.
Prioritize keeping your aligners clean
Invisalign’s aligners are made from thermoplastic material specially selected and formulated for the environment in your mouth. While those materials are stain-resistant, they lose clarity and become grimy or sticky if constantly exposed to foods and beverages without being cleaned. They can even take on smells if neglected. The best way to prevent those negative results is simply to clean your aligner every time you take them out of your mouth. Your dentist will give you detailed instructions about how to do that.
None of these tips is earth-shattering, to be sure. But that’s the best part. They’re all easily achievable and, cumulatively, will boost your chances of achieving the very best results. If you’d like advice about Invisalign near you, don’t hesitate to contact the experienced staff at Aspire Smiles.