Congratulations on your decision to pursue a straighter smile! In addition to cosmetic and psychological benefits, straighter teeth are also easier to keep clean and healthy, and less prone to uneven wear.
Receiving your clear aligners is just the beginning, however. To get the most out of your Invisalign treatment, it’s important to take proper care of your aligners, and your teeth, at home.
Inserting aligners
To wear your clear aligner, line it up with your front teeth and work your way back, applying gentle pressure. After some initial resistance, your aligner should slide securely into place.
Removing aligners
To remove the aligner, start from the back on just one side and work your way forward. Repeat on the opposite side. Never try to remove the left and right sides of the aligner at the same time.
Hygiene
Do not eat or drink anything except plain water while wearing your clear aligners. To avoid staining the aligner, we recommend refraining from smoking.
Each time you put your aligner back in place after eating or drinking, first brush and floss your teeth, and brush and rinse the inside of the aligner.
Keeping your mouth clean is crucial while using Invisalign, because plaque grows fastest in the crevasses where surfaces meet each other.
Pushing your smile to the next level
In order to achieve your desired results with Invisalign, you will need to wear your aligners for at least 20 hours per day, preferably 22. This gives most people just enough time to enjoy their usual schedule of eating and drinking throughout the day, and perform necessary hygiene tasks.
You will need to wear each aligner for 1-2 weeks, based on your doctor’s recommendation. When the time comes to switch to the next aligner, do so as part of your bedtime routine. This gives your teeth maximum time to adjust before the next time you remove the aligner.
Always keep your most recent aligner handy, in case your current aligner is lost or damaged. Using a slightly older aligner can minimize backsliding while you wait for a replacement.
Side effects
Clear aligners work by applying gentle but constant pressure to move the teeth into the desired position. That pressure may cause aching or discomfort in the teeth, jaw, and head, particularly during the first few days with a new aligner.
The presence of a foreign object in the mouth may also cause dry mouth, nausea, accidental biting of the tongue or cheek, and difficulty speaking clearly.
Most patients are able to manage the pain with over-the-counter painkillers, and the dry mouth with increased water intake.
Other symptoms typically taper off as the patient acclimates to the aligners.
If you experience any unusual or intense side effects, contact the office immediately for guidance. A small number of people may experience severe allergic reactions to Invisalign aligners.