Many people with crooked, gapped, or misaligned smiles choose to have them corrected with Invisalign. This orthodontic treatment works by moving your teeth and jaw into a more ideal position over several months or years. It’s a popular alternative to traditional braces since Invisalign is nearly invisible as well as removable. While some people think that they can pop their aligners off whenever they want, they need to be worn for at least 20 to 22 hours per day to be effective. If you need help reaching your Invisalign wear time, keep reading for five useful tips.
Tip #1: Time Your Meals
One thing that gets in the way of patients wearing their Invisalign as much as they’re supposed to is eating. If you take your aligners off several times a day for snacks, you’re unlikely to wear them for at least 20 to 22 hours.
Planning out mealtimes in advance will help. Allow yourself 15 minutes for breakfast, 30 minutes for lunch, and 60 minutes for dinner. This will give you enough of a buffer each day in case you want to grab a quick snack or coffee with your friends. It will also ensure that you have plenty of time to brush and floss your teeth after you eat.
Tip #2: Use a Tracker
There are some apps that have been specifically designed to make it easier for you to keep up with your Invisalign wear time. Consider downloading an app like “Tray Minder” to cut out the guesswork of figuring out if you did or didn’t wear your aligners for 20 to 22 hours.
Tip #3: Multitask
Your aligner trays will need to be cleaned every day to ensure that they don’t become damaged or stained. This is why it’s a good idea to multitask by allowing your Invisalign to soak in a cold or lukewarm glass of water with cleaning crystals while you eat. You can also use a solution made specifically for Invisalign or one for dentures or retainers.
Tip #4: Brush, Floss, and Rinse
After each meal, be sure to clean your teeth. This includes brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash. This will help prevent staining and we’ll keep food from getting trapped behind your aligners and raising your risk of cavities.
Tip #5: Switch to New Trays Before Bed
The few hours after you begin wearing a new set of trays are often the most uncomfortable. Consider putting on new trays before you go to bed. Sleeping through the first few hours of discomfort will make it more bearable. You can also take pain or Sleep Medicine to help you get through the night.
About the Practice
Jacksonville and the surrounding communities know that their smiles are in good hands with Dr. Richard Carlson, Dr. Khoi Le, Dr. Edward Murray, and their team at Carlson Dental Group. They treat patients with the best possible care, offering a variety of effective, efficient treatments. This includes Invisalign to correct misaligned beams. They can also give you tips on meeting your daily Invisalign wear time. If you are ready to make an appointment with Carlson Dental Group or want more information on Invisalign, call their Riverside office at (904) 262-8449, their Bartram office at (904) 262-8409, or visit their website.