Precautions To Minimize The Chance Of Problems During Your Invisalign Treatment

If your teeth are moderately misaligned, your dentist may recommend Invisalign aligners to straighten them. The aligners, which are made of a rigid, transparent plastic material, fit over the teeth like a specialized mouth guard. 

To re-position your teeth, multiple sets of the aligners are required. The aligners are used in a specific order, and each set is worn for several weeks. After the allotted time for a set has expired, it is removed and replaced by the the next set in the treatment plan. 

After the last set of aligning trays has been worn as directed, the teeth should be in their proper alignment. The Invisalign treatment is usually complete within a year or less. 

As your teeth are being treated by Invisalign, it is important take certain measures to help ensure that problems don't occur. Here are a few precautions that you can take to minimize the likelihood of issues occurring during your Invisalign treatment.

Try to Only Consume Water While Wearing the Aligners 

The transparency of the clear aligners makes them nearly invisible in your mouth. However, darkly pigmented drinks and foods can stain the aligners if you ingest the items while your aligning trays are being worn.

To avoid discoloring your Invisalign aligners, only consume water while the aligners are in place. To enjoy other beverages and foods, remove the aligners before you eat or drink, and place the trays back in your mouth when you are done.

It is also advisable to clean your teeth before placing the aligners over your teeth. If you are unable to brush your teeth before re-inserting the aligners, rinse your mouth thoroughly with water. The brushing or rinsing will help ensure that particles of food do not become trapped beneath your trays.

Don't Leave the Trays Out of Your Mouth for More Than a Few Hours Daily

The aligning trays should only be removed to clean your teeth or consume a meal or snack. Each set of trays places gentle pressure on your teeth to move them into the desired configuration. However, the pressure from the aligners must be consistent, or the teeth will not shift properly.

The ability to remove the aligners at will is a benefit of the treatment, but it can be a detriment if you do not wear the trays as prescribed. The aligners should never be left out of your mouth for more than a couple of hours daily.

If you would like to learn more about the Invisalign treatment, schedule a consultation with a dentist in your local area.


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