If you’ve decided to straighten your teeth with Invisalign Lincoln Park, congratulations! Invisalign’s clear plastic aligners are virtually invisible, allowing you to improve your smile discreetly. However, to get the best results, you need to take proper care of your oral health while wearing the aligners. Maintaining good oral hygiene can be trickier with Invisalign trays in your mouth for 20 or more hours per day, but it’s essential for preventing tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath.
Clean Your Aligners Properly
Keeping your aligners clean is the first step toward good oral health. Each time you remove your Invisalign trays, use your fingernail or a tool to rub away any plaque buildup on the inside and outside surfaces. Then, wash the aligners by scrubbing them with a soft bristle toothbrush and cool water – no toothpaste needed. Rinse thoroughly before inserting them back into your mouth. You’ll also want to soak your aligners in an Invisalign cleaning solution,at least once per day, to sanitize them.
Brush After Meals and Snacks
Like usual, you should brush your teeth after eating anything while wearing Invisalign trays. Sugary, acidic, and starchy foods boost bacteria growth and cause tooth decay. When you remove your aligners to eat or drink beverages other than water, always remember to brush before putting them back in. If you don’t have access to a toothbrush, swish water around your mouth and wipe your teeth clean with your finger or a soft cloth. Waiting too long traps food particles against your teeth under the plastic.
Floss at Least Once Per Day
Flossing removes plaque and bits of food from tight spaces between teeth that your toothbrush can’t reach – areas most prone to decay and inflammation. Although maneuvering floss between teeth with Invisalign trays on can prove difficult, make sure to floss at least once a day after taking aligners out. If traditional floss is too tricky, try single-use floss picks instead. Their rigid handles and pre-strung floss make flossing easier with limited space inside your mouth. This dentist who does good-quality dental implants in Chattanooga TN also recommends interdental brushes as an alternative to floss.
Use an Extra Toothbrush While Out
Carrying a travel-sized toothbrush and small tube of toothpaste in your purse, work bag, or car enables you to brush anytime, anywhere – no excuses! Brushing after impromptu snacks or coffee breaks prevents food and drink residue from getting trapped for too long. An extra soft-bristle toothbrush designated just for on-the-go use with Invisalign keeps the bristles clean and hygienic. Look for compact disposable toothbrushes that fold up yet still offer two minutes of scrubbing time.
Rinse With a Daily Mouthwash
Mouthwash adds another layer of protection against tooth decay and gum inflammation while wearing Invisalign aligners. The antibacterial ingredients kill germs that brushing and flossing alone can’t reach, including along the gumline and between teeth. Use an alcohol-free formula, as alcohol dries out the mouth. Choose an American Dental Association approved antimicrobial mouthwash containing cetylpyridinium chloride, like Crest Pro-Health. Swish the mouthwash around your mouth while aligners are out for the full 30 seconds to effectively kill bacteria.
Don’t Neglect Tongue Cleaning
Clearing built-up bacteria, fungi, dead cells, and debris off the surface of your tongue is just as integral to oral health as brushing and flossing during Invisalign treatment. Using a tongue scraper or brush twice per day keeps your breath fresh despite wearing plastic aligners in your mouth all the time. Make sure to reach the back of your tongue near the throat where smelly gunk hides. Limiting tongue coating also reduces plaque buildup and gingivitis risk.
Staying diligent with proper oral hygiene takes effort, but pays off hugely while undergoing Invisalign treatment. Preventing complications like tooth decay and gum inflammation allows your teeth to shift more easily into their desired positions. Reward yourself by showing off your successfully straightened smile.