Improve Your Smile Invisibly

Clear aligners, such as Invisalign®, are a popular choice for straightening mild to moderate cases of malocclusion and depending on the issues, sometimes more severe cases as well. Older adults as well as teens prefer “Invisible braces” because they do the job discreetly. This method of straightening teeth works well for those who diligently follow the recommendations given by the dentist. The advantages of clear aligners are manyfold. To ensure that your teeth and gums are in optimal shape by the end of treatment, it is important that you take into consideration these facts.

Fact 1: Use your aligners as recommended. The best feature about clear aligners is that they are removable. With that being said, it is also important to remember that they must stay on your teeth for at least 22 hours a day for the treatment to be effective. Less than 20 hours a day can be counterproductive to the results you want to achieve.

Fact 2: Good oral hygiene is important. You want to avoid tooth decay and gum disease at all times, and especially when you are using clear aligners. Another major advantage of this particular orthodontic treatment is that you can easily maintain a high level of oral hygiene because the aligners are removable. Always have a toothbrush and floss handy to use so you can remove food debris that gets trapped in between the teeth as well as in the crevices of the teeth. Travel toothbrushes and disposal toothbrushes are indispensable when wearing clear aligners.

Fact 3: Clear aligners need to be cleaned with soap and water. You may be tempted to use toothpaste on your aligners, but doing so can cause problems due to the abrasive ingredients. These can cause foul smelling bacteria buildup on the aligners and who wants bad breath? Toothpaste may also cause the aligners to become cloudy, which will make them more visible.

Fact 4: Beware of beverages that stain. Coffee, tea, red wine and other dark colored beverages stain your teeth, so you can imagine what they would do to your aligners. Taking your aligners out for morning coffee or afternoon tea with friends? Keep in mind you need to wear your aligners for a minimum of 22 hours every day for the best results. You may want to skip the dark beverage and have water or lemonade instead!

Fact 5: The secret to clear aligner success also hinges on the dentist you choose. Careful diagnosis and treatment planning are crucial for the optimal results of this orthodontic treatment. Your dentist’s expertise, knowledge and experience play a major role in the outcome.

We are orthodontic specialists at Broad Street Braces. Let us help you get the beautiful smile you deserve. Call today to schedule your appointment.