It’s thrilling to begin your Invisalign experience. Invisalign clear aligners offer an inconspicuous way to straighten your teeth without the hassle of traditional metal braces. More than 12 million people around the world have enhanced their smile with Invisalign technology, and it remains a popular choice for orthodontic treatment.
But success with Invisalign requires more than simply wearing the aligners. New patients make mistakes that can slow progress, cause pain, or even sabotage their aligners. Being informed about these pitfalls before they happen can help you maximise your treatment.
1. Not Wearing Aligners for the Recommended Period
The largest mistake new patients make is not keeping the aligners in for sufficient hours during the day. Invisalign aligners must be worn 20-22 hours a day for them to work. So you can only remove them to eat, drink, and brush your teeth.
12-15 hours is enough for some patients, though it reduces the effectiveness of the treatment by quite a lot in most situations. Your teeth require continuous, slow pressure in order to shift into the new position. Without a long enough period wearing aligners, your teeth will return to the original position, so you’ll have to repeat your progress.
Put reminders on your phone to wear your aligners after each meal. Keep track of your wear time during the initial few weeks until it becomes second nature.
2. Overlooking Correct Oral Hygiene
Poor oral hygiene is even worse while you wear aligners. Your aligners will trap food and bacteria between them and your teeth and lead to cavities, gum disease, and bad breath.
Many the new patients believe that they can skip brushing after eating because the aligners will be going in anyway. This is a breeding ground for bacteria and this will be on your teeth all day. Brush and floss before you reinsert your aligners, even for small snacks.
Clean your aligners daily with warm water and a gentle toothbrush. Don’t use hot water, because it will warp the plastic and affect the fit.
3. Eating and Drinking with Aligners In
Invisalign aligners must be taken out before drinking anything other than plain water. Most new patients will think that they will be alright to drink coffee, tea, or other beverages through a straw while wearing the aligners.
Hot beverages will warp your aligners, and brightly coloured beverages will stain your aligners. Sugars and acids in beverages will also build up around your teeth under your aligners and will put you highly at risk for cavities and tooth enamel erosion.
Even simple sparkling water must be taken with the aligners removed because acidity can damage your teeth even if they are hidden from view with aligners.
4. Missed Orthodontist Visits
You must go see a local Sunshine Coast dentist for follow-ups to monitor your progress and get new sets of aligners. Some patients believe that they can skip visits if their current aligners are comfortable.
Your orthodontist will have to evaluate how your teeth are moving and change your treatment if necessary. He or she could also be able to detect any emerging issues early on, e.g., tracking issues where teeth are not moving as expected.
Missed appointments will extend the length of your treatment and could even necessitate further aligners to correct problems which could otherwise have been avoided with regular check-ups.
5. Inadequate Aligner Storage
When removing aligners to eat, new patients will typically wrap them in a paper towel or a napkin. This also tends to lead to them being lost or tossed away. Other patients will simply leave the aligners in a public space, where they will pick up bacteria on them, or get damaged.
Keep your aligners in the protective case when they are not being used. Clean the case as needed and replace the case if lost or broken. Keeping a spare case in your car or at work is a good idea too.
Setting Yourself Up for Success
Avoiding these pitfalls will continue to keep your Invisalign treatment moving smoothly and efficiently. Always remember that maintenance and consistency will also be key in getting you that healthy, straight smile you’ve always wanted. If questions do arise, always consult your orthodontist’s instructions and never be afraid to ask about aligner care and wear.