The Dos and Don'ts to Keep in Mind When Undergoing Invisalign® Treatment

Having a straight and perfect smile is not as easy as it seems if you suffer from any teeth misalignment issue. Misaligned teeth, malocclusions, and bite-related dental problems tend to negatively compromise both your oral health and the quality of your smile.

However, there is a way to correct this and achieve the smile of your dreams. Thanks to the invention of orthodontics, there are various treatment plans and programs for patients who want to undergo teeth straightening.

In the past, individuals would shy away from visiting our Arvada dentist for orthodontic treatment. This is simply because the idea most people had about these teeth straightening treatment involved wearing bulky braces.

However, this is no longer the case. There are currently several types of braces available that can be prescribed to correct malocclusions and teeth alignment issues. These braces are not as bulky or aesthetically unappealing like they were back then.

One of the most popular orthodontic solutions we currently offer at our dental clinic is clear aligners such as the Invisalign® braces. Patients undergoing orthodontic treatment with our Arvada dentists love these clear aligners because they offer an inconspicuous and aesthetically sound method of teeth realignment.

Let’s take a look at how these clear braces work.

How Does It Work?

Invisalign braces come in a set of 20 to 50 customized braces. Each set of aligners is designed to be worn for about one to two weeks, depending on the dentist’s orders. After this specified period, the used set of aligners is discarded, and you move on to the next one in the series.

Clear braces work under the same principle as traditional braces do. They are designed to apply a certain amount of pressure on your teeth over the weekly period, which pushes your teeth gradually into their desired position.

This teeth straightening treatment generally takes up to 18weeks, in which you will be required to see our dentist every six weeks for a checkup to monitor your progress and rule out any complications.

For the treatment to be effective, you will also be required to wear these clear braces for a minimum of between 20 to 22 hours each day except during meals or brushing or flossing your teeth.

What Can You or Can’t You Eat When Undergoing a Clear Aligner Treatment?

Most patients wrongly assume that you can indulge in any food without repercussions because you can take off the clear braces during meals. This is partly true. For the treatment to be effective, there are certain dos and don’ts that you should adhere to.

This may include:

• Avoid drinking coffee, sodas, and wine. Coffee and wine tend to stain your teeth, while sodas promote tooth decay and halitosis. So even if the clear braces are off during this time, these drinks still damage your teeth and impede the treatment’s progress.
• Avoid chewing gum or any sticky foods. These foods can stick onto your teeth and find their way into your clear aligners afterward. The particles that get stuck on the clear braces can promote tooth decay.
• Avoid eating hard food and candies. Even with the clear braces off, these foods can still cause chips and fractures on your teeth that may cause some discomfort when you wear your clear braces afterward.
• Increase your intake of foods rich in calcium and protein, such as dairy products, because these two nutrients will help promote your dental health.
• Increase your intake of fresh fruits and vegetables as they help keep your mouth hydrated and boost saliva production, which is vital in cleaning your mouth.

Other Do’s and Don’ts

Also, when undergoing a clear aligner treatment, you should:

• Never eat or drink with the aligners on. Hot drinks may disfigure the aligners and create some discomfort the next time you wear them. The only drink you should take with your aligners is water. Any foods or beverages apart from this may damage the aligners.
• Always clean your aligners by rinsing them out with lukewarm water and a soft toothbrush since hot water can deform them. Never use toothpaste to clean the trays because it causes abrasion on the trays.
• Clean your teeth after every meal, before you put your aligners on to prevent any bacterial build-up on the trays that may lead to the occurrence of infections.

We would be thrilled to help you straighten your smile. Contact us today at Station Dental Group in Arvada for Invisalign and any other orthodontic treatment.