Your Guide To Invisalign
Monroe and Newtown, CT
At Baum Braces, we strive to provide the most effective, stress-free Invisalign treatment. We offer this guide to share answers to some of the most frequently asked questions we receive about Invisalign.
How Do I Best Care For My Aligners?
To keep your aligners clean:
- Brush them with a toothbrush and water.
- Remove your aligners before eating or drinking anything other than water.
- After, brush and floss your teeth to ensure you are not trapping in or transferring bacteria.
Trapping food debris between your teeth and the aligner may increase plaque buildup, so make time in your daily routine to maintain your oral health. When you’re not wearing your aligners, store them in the case provided to you by Invisalign.
Are There Any Food Restrictions?
You can eat anything you like with Invisalign, but there are a few things to keep in mind.
- Since you have to remove your aligners to eat, you’ll want to make sure you brush your teeth before putting them back in.
- Sugary and sticky foods can get stuck in your aligners and be challenging to remove. So, if you’re going to eat something like that, it’s best to do it before you put your aligners in for the day.
- Drinking coffee or tea while wearing aligners is not suggested since these can rest between the aligners and your teeth, causing cavities or plaque buildup. Not to mention, these liquids can stain your aligners.
There are no true dietary restrictions as long as you remove the aligners before eating or drinking anything other than water and brush before replacing them in your mouth.
Do I Still Need To See My Dentist While In Treatment?
Yes! You should see your dentist every six months for a cleaning and check-up. While you will be checking in with your orthodontist, it is still vital to get cleanings periodically to ensure you take care of your teeth while you have the aligners on. Baum Braces will be focused on correcting your teeth and jaw rather than cleaning. Regular dentist appointments are best for successful treatment.
How Do I Know If Invisalign Is Right For Me?
Generally, Invisalign is suitable for people of all ages with varying degrees of correction. However, you should only consider the aligner system if you can keep them in place for approximately 22 hours daily. If you believe you will have difficulty taking the aligners out or will forget to put them back in, you may want to consider another option, such as braces, which will allow you to stay on track with your treatment easily.
In unique cases of more severe corrections, it is best to speak with Dr. Baum or Dr. Blanck by setting up a consultation. Through a series of x-rays, digital bite scans, and photographs, we will be able to evaluate your smile and let you know if Invisalign can help you achieve the results you’re looking for.
What Happens After Treatment?
You will be provided with a set of custom-made, clear retainers. These must be worn nightly to keep your new smile in place. It is important to note that none of your previous aligners should be used as retainers. The aligners are prone to cracking and are made of thinner material for short-term wear. Your final retainer will be made of a more durable material that will last several years. Generally, you must wear the retainer every day for at least six months. After the first six months, you should only have to wear the retainer while sleeping.
