Straightening your teeth with the help of Invisalign is a faster, more convenient, and more discreet way to achieve your smile goals without the use of traditional braces, but many patients don’t understand the importance of oral hygiene during treatment. While your aligners may seem like an impenetrable shield against food and bacteria, the truth is that if you’re not careful, Invisalign can actually make it easier to get cavities than you can with braces. Here are a few tips for keeping your teeth healthy and strong during your Invisalign treatment!
Keep Your Aligners Clean
Keeping your aligners clean during your treatment is essential to protecting your teeth and gums. While you should be cleaning them when you brush and floss your teeth, be sure to also at least rinse them well when you take them out for meals or beverages.
Brushing and Flossing
It is very important that you keep your teeth squeaky clean during Invisalign treatment. Putting aligners on dirty teeth can trap bacteria, plaque, and food debris against your teeth for hours with no way to rinse it away. Thus, be sure to brush and floss each time you eat, even if it’s just a snack. Furthermore, you should also brush well after drinking anything but water.
Please note that attempting to “cut corners” by eating or drinking with your aligners on is also a recipe for disaster. This can cause your aligners to become damaged or dirty, and food can still get trapped inside when you chew!
Drink Water
While you can still enjoy a full diet of the foods you love during Invisalign treatment, the only thing you should be eating or drinking while your aligners are on is water. Water will not discolor your trays, cause cavities, or give you bad breath, plus it can help rinse away dangerous bacteria that may be in your mouth.
Remember, if you aren’t careful, you still can get cavities and gum disease during Invisalign treatment. Thus, it is important to take excellent care of your teeth and gums, including brushing, flossing, and removing your aligners to eat and drink. While there are no guarantees that your smile will stay cavity-free, these basic care steps will greatly reduce the risk of oral health problems and ensure that your smile is as healthy as it is beautiful at the end of treatment!
About Our Practice
At Warwick Dentistry, Dr. Joyce Warwick and Dr. John Warwick are the wife-and-husband team of dentists that want to make you a part of their family, too! Both of our skilled and caring dentists are proud to offer a wide range of oral health treatments, ranging from routine cleanings and exams to restorations to orthodontic treatment by Invisalign. To experience the difference that this kind and compassionate duo can make in your smile with the help of Invisalign, please schedule a consultation via our website, or call us today at 412-391-1130.