If you’re longing for a straighter smile but want a more discreet solution than traditional braces, Invisalign could potentially benefit you. Rather than bulky metal brackets, this alternative treatment uses clear, plastic trays that fit snuggly over your teeth to reposition them.
You’ll wear your aligners for 22 hours every day, which gives bacteria in your mouth plenty of time to thrive while pressed tightly against your teeth and gums. This puts you at an increased risk of cavities and gingivitis, which can thankfully be prevented by brushing and flossing more thoroughly at home. With that in mind, continue reading to learn three tips to help you preserve your grin throughout your treatment!
Tip #1: Rinse After Meals
You don’t want to eat with your Invisalign inserted because chewing with the plastic material can stain or damage it. Instead, take your trays out of your mouth for meals. Then, to ensure that you don’t place them back into an unclean mouth, rinse with water or a gentle mouthwash solution when you’re finished. This clears away any leftover food and bacteria, so they don’t have the chance to build residue on your teeth trays after the fact.
It’s also a good idea to hold your aligners under gently running water to rinse them before replacing them, but be sure it’s room temperature. Heat can warp them so they no longer fit correctly, adding weeks to your treatment timeline.
Tip #2: Floss More Frequently
Wearing the plastic covers over your teeth all day and night makes you prone to cavities and gum disease, and upping your flossing game is another easy but effective way to prevent them. Typically, your dentist recommends that you floss twice daily after brushing your teeth, but with Invisalign, you should also floss after every meal. This consistently removes any unwanted particles that might accumulate into plaque or tartar, which leads to dental issues that get worse over time.
Tip #3: Watch What You Eat
Sugary foods attract bacteria that work in tandem with acidic ingredients to wear down your enamel and cause decay and disease. Your trays can trap these materials against your teeth for long periods, increasing the likelihood of developing an issue. Instead of filling up on unhealthy options that can hurt both your dental and overall health, why not choose more wholesome and filling foods? For example, dairy products are full of calcium for strong enamel, and citrus fruits are full of vitamin C to support the connective tissue of your gums.
Now that you know more about preserving your oral well-being, you’ll have a perfectly straight, healthy grin to show off once your Invisalign treatment is completed!
About the Practice
At Boston Smile Center, you benefit from two skilled dentists with 35+ years of combined experience. Dr. Sasson and Dr. Shainhouse work together to offer a wide range of services, including Invisalign, conveniently under one roof to streamline your oral health care. They combine a patient-first philosophy with state-of-the-art technology to enhance your comfort and provide fully individualized solutions to meet your unique needs. If you’d like a straighter smile, you can request an Invisalign consultation on the website or call (617) 739-1017.