Teens and adults who want to straighten their teeth without the appearance of braces may consider Invisalign as a treatment option. But there is some critical information you should be aware of before making the decision to use Invisalign. Our orthodontists at Village Orthodontics - Brampton explain.
1. Stay mindful of what you eat
You'll have to think carefully about the foods you eat. Keep in mind that removing your aligners, eating, and then brushing and flossing your teeth may not be worth it if you want a snack in the middle of the day. In order to avoid having to repeat this process too frequently, you should try to consume enough calories throughout your main meals.
2. You have to wear your aligners full-time
With Invisalign, you are committing yourself to a full-time schedule. Wearing your aligners for a minimum of 20-22 hours per day as suggested by your dentist on a consistent basis is essential for Invisalign to be effective. You should only take them out to eat or clean their teeth.
It's tempting to take these aligners out when things get tough, and it's even easier to forget to put them back in later. If you are concerned that you will want to remove Invisalign orthodontics more frequently than is necessary, you may want to consider other orthodontic procedures.
3. They are pretty comfortable
Invisalign aligners are widely regarded as being extremely comfortable to use. You may experience some pressure and pain when changing trays every two weeks, but most patients report that this discomfort is minor.
4. You need to brush after every meal
If you don't brush and floss after eating and instead just put your aligners back in, food particles will likely get trapped at the back of your teeth under your aligners. This creates a barrier that allows bacteria to spread on your teeth, potentially leading to decay and bad breath. To avoid these problems, consider buying a portable toothbrush or keeping one on your desk at work.
5. Talking might be difficult at first
Talking may be difficult at first, as it is with many orthodontic appliances. Some mumbling and lisping may be heard. This is normal and will pass as you become more accustomed to your clear aligners.
6. Invisalign might not be the right move for you
For those with mild to moderate orthodontic issues, Invisalign is a great option. Invisalign may take an extremely long time to straighten your teeth, depending on the severity of your misalignment. As a result, traditional braces might be more effective for you.
7. Your clear aligners can stain
If you have Invisalign aligners, you may want to spend some of your two-hour morning window sipping a cup of coffee. This is due to the fact that when exposed to certain substances, they have the potential to stain.