Maintaining good oral hygiene during orthodontic treatment is essential for many reasons. Invisalign in Centralia can make it easier, but there are a few Invisalign tips to keep in mind that will help you achieve optimal oral health.
Importance of Good Oral Hygiene During Invisalign Treatment
Invisalign is an excellent option for people who want to straighten their teeth without dealing with the hassle of wires and brackets. However, it’s important to remember that Invisalign does not prevent plaque buildup, which can lead to cavities and other dental problems. In order to get the best results, it’s essential to take good care of your teeth during Invisalign treatment.
Invisalign Tips for Maintaining Good Oral Hygiene
#1 – Brush and floss regularly.
As with any orthodontic treatment, Invisalign requires you to brush and floss your teeth twice a day. In order to ensure that your Invisalign aligners stay clean and odor-free, you should brush and floss after you take out your Invisalign as well.
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste when brushing. When flossing, make sure to use Invisalign-friendly flossers and waxed dental floss.
#2 – Use Invisalign cleaning crystals.
Invisalign cleaning crystals are specially formulated to help keep Invisalign aligners clean and free from bacteria. It is recommended that Invisalign users use Invisalign cleaning crystals every night before going to bed. This will help keep your Invisalign aligners free from plaque and bacteria, which can help maintain good oral hygiene during Invisalign treatment.
#3 – Follow a daily routine.
Creating a daily Invisalign routine is essential for good oral hygiene. In addition to brushing and flossing twice a day, make sure to take your Invisalign aligners out when you eat and drink (except for water). This will help to ensure that food and plaque aren’t trapped in your Invisalign aligners.
Also, make sure to wear your Invisalign aligners for the recommended amount of time each day. Invisalign treatment requires you to wear your Invisalign aligners for 22-23 hours per day, so make sure to follow the Invisalign instructions.
#4 – Use a warm water solution.
If cleaning crystals aren’t available, there are various warm water solutions you can use to soak your aligners in. One of these is antibacterial soap. Add a few drops of the soap to warm water and soak your Invisalign aligners in it for 10 minutes. This will help to remove plaque and bacteria from your Invisalign aligners.
Alternatively, you can also use vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, or baking soda mixed with water as a warm water solution for Invisalign aligners. Remember not to use alcohol-based mouthwash or harsh denture cleaners on Invisalign aligners, as this can damage them.
#5 – Keep your aligners in a case.
When Invisalign aligners are not in your mouth, make sure to store them in an Invisalign-approved case. This will help keep Invisalign aligners safe from dust, dirt, and bacteria. Keeping your Invisalign aligners clean is essential for good oral hygiene, so make sure to keep Invisalign aligners in their case when they’re not being worn.
Invisalign Tips – Don’ts During Treatment
In addition to following Invisalign tips for maintaining good oral hygiene, it is also important to avoid certain activities during Invisalign treatment. Here is a list of Invisalign don’ts:
- Smoke while wearing Invisalign aligners – Smoking while wearing aligners or even taken out can cause staining to the aligners or your teeth. In addition, smoking can also damage the aligners when you smoke while wearing them.
- Eat sticky or hard candies – When you eat sticky or hard candies even without the aligners, there’s a risk of particles them remaining in your teeth. When you put your aligners back, this food can be trapped and cause cavities, or they can damage them.
- Drink dark-colored beverages such as coffee, tea, and soda – These drinks can stain Invisalign aligners and also cause discoloration of your teeth. In addition, these beverages also contain sugar that can give rise to plaque and can damage Invisalign aligners.
- Play sports without a mouthguard – If you play contact sports such as soccer or basketball, Invisalign recommends wearing a mouthguard. This will help protect Invisalign aligners from being damaged and will also help protect your teeth from any trauma.
Consult a Trusted Orthodontist in Washington
An experienced Invisalign-certified orthodontist in Washington can give you proper instructions on how to take care of your oral health amid Invisalign treatment. Dr. Andrew Lasley is a trusted orthodontist in Centralia. His team at Centralia Orthodontics is highly experienced in providing excellent Invisalign treatment.
At our practice, we understand that every patient is unique and requires personalized Invisalign treatment. We take the time to get to know our patients and create an Invisalign treatment plan that best suits their needs. In addition, we also provide Invisalign tips and instructions on how to maintain good Invisalign hygiene.
Aside from Invisalign, we also provide several other methods of orthodontic treatment — including traditional braces, ceramic braces, orthodontic treatment with jaw surgery, and several other treatment modalities. Dr. Lasley and his team strive to deliver comfortable and effective treatment in the least possible time.
If you or your child needs Invisalign treatment, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with Dr. Lasley today. Invisalign tips and other hygiene instructions will be provided to make sure your treatment is successful. Contact us today and get started with Invisalign!
