The Patient’s Guide to Invisalign Treatment
Whether you are planning on receiving Invisalign near San Jose or you have already started your treatment, there is some crucial information to protect your Invisalign aligners. Keeping your aligners protected is essential to saving you money and maintaining a short treatment time. If you have any questions about your Invisalign treatment, consult with your dentist about your treatment and proper dental care during your Invisalign experience.
Clean Aligners Regularly
It is essential to rinse off your Invisalign aligners whenever you remove them. As your saliva and other bacteria dry on the surface, your aligners will soon become foul-smelling and riddled with plaque and other bacteria. When you give your aligners a more in-depth cleaning, use an Invisalign-safe cleaning product that will remove any bacteria without harming the aligners. Clean the aligner containers regularly as well. Ensure that your own daily dental care is strong by brushing at least twice a day and flossing once a day. This will reduce the amount of plaque and bacteria that can form on your aligners.
Remove Aligners Before Eating
Never keep your aligners in your mouth when you are eating or drinking anything other than water. Chewing motions, along with the food itself, can severely damage your Invisalign aligners. This may result in high replacement costs and a potentially slower treatment time. Remove the aligners whenever you drink something as well. Sodas and juices contain acids, which can break down and damage the aligners. Teas and other drinks may also stain and damage the aligners.
Protect Aligners in Containers
When you do remove your aligners—to eat or perform your daily dental care, for example—place them in a safe aligner-approved container. These containers will protect your aligners from damage and loss. Keep a container with or near you at all times; this will ensure that you do not forget to remove the aligners when you need to and to keep them protected from damage.