If you’ve recently gotten Invisalign in Scarborough, or you are in the near future, then you are probably already eager to see the final results. With this modern treatment, you can have the aligned teeth you’ve always hoped for without having to deal with brackets and wires. However, in order to have the best possible outcome, it is important that you follow the instructions of your dentist very carefully. Here are some bad habits that you should be avoiding during this time.
Drinking While Wearing Your Trays
The only thing that you should be drinking while you wear your aligners is water. Anything else can cause issues for both your teeth and your trays. Dark colored beverages, like soda, coffee, tea, or wine can easily cause your invisible aligners to be no longer invisible. Highly acidic drinks, like sports and energy drinks, also discolor the trays and soften the tooth enamel, leaving you more vulnerable to cavities, especially when it gets trapped in the aligners. If you are going to have a beverage other than water, make sure you remove your trays first.
Changing Your Aligners Late
When its time for you to switch to your new set of aligners, you should know that its important to do so during the recommended time. Even though it may not seems like a big deal to switch to your new ones a day late, that one day can make a big difference when your teeth are slowly shifting to their new locations. This increases the chances of your treatment going on longer than expected.
Moving Your Trays Around with Your Tongue
During the latter part of your aligner cycle, your aligners will begin to fit more loosely, and you may feel the urge to wiggle and move them around with your tongue. However, this is something you should avoid. First of all, it can cause your tongue to become irritated and sore. Secondly, this can change the shape of your aligners and make them less effective at straightening your teeth.
Leaving the Aligners Laying Out
Leaving your trays out in the open is a very risky choice. When you aren’t using your aligners, you should be putting them directly into your case. Not only does leaving them out expose them to airborne pathogens, but you are much more likely to damage them, lose them, or throw them away. Bring your aligner case with you everywhere you go.
Forgetting to Brush
If you aren’t cleaning your teeth before placing your aligners back into your mouth, food particles can become trapped against your teeth inside the trays. This means more bacteria and more tooth decay in your near future.
In order to get the best outcome from your Invisalign aligners, it’s crucial that you avoid these bad habits. By staying on top of the treatment and carefully following the instructions of your dentist, you will soon have the results you’ve been looking for.
About the Author
Dr. Gus Bal and his team provide a variety of different services, including Invisalign clear braces, at his practice in Scarborough, ON. He is a graduate from the Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine and has been voted as “Best Dentist in Scarborough” by the Readers Choice Awards for four consecutive years. For more information on caring for your Invisalign aligners or to schedule a consultation, visit his website or call +1 416-267-6789.
