A Healthy Smile Has Never Been Easier
Proper care and good oral hygiene are essential in keeping your Invisalign aligners clean, invisible, and odor-free.
The aligners can be easily removed for eating and drinking, but if you don’t clean your aligners well, it can result in discoloration and a buildup of bacteria.
You should periodically clear debris from your aligners with a soft toothbrush and water. Don’t use toothpaste as it could create micro-abrasions and make your aligners cloudy and dull.
You can use Efferdent to clean your aligners, but do just avoid hot water.
- Rinse your aligners when you remove them: Dry saliva and plaque create a perfect breeding ground for foul-smelling bacteria.
- Brush and floss your teeth before reinserting your aligners: Proper oral hygiene is key in maintaining healthy teeth and avoiding cavities and decay.
- Brush your aligners gently: Vigorous brushing can scratch your aligners and leave visible etchings. Brush carefully!
Do not eat or drink (anything but water) while wearing Invisalign. Many foods and drinks can stain or discolor your aligners.
And remember...using toothpaste to clean your aligners will scratch the plastic and dull your aligners. These scratches can also create small traps in your aligners for bacteria to dwell.
Removable Appliance Care
Your removable appliance has been carefully designed to move or hold your teeth in place. Always wear it according to Dr. Goldberg and Dr. Davis’s instructions.
Wear your appliance at all times, even while you are asleep. It may be removed while swimming or engaging in vigorous sporting activities. In two to three days, your speech will return to normal with the appliance in place. Avoid flipping your appliance with your tongue. This can cause damage to your teeth or breakage of your appliance.
Your new appliance may make your teeth sore for a day or two, especially after any changes are made. Call our office so we can arrange to adjust the appliance if you have a sore spot on your gums.
Clean your appliance by brushing it daily with toothpaste. You can also use denture cleaner for a more thorough clean.
Never wrap your appliance in a paper napkin or tissue and set it down on the table. You or someone else may throw it away. Don't put it in your pocket when playing, or you may break or lose it.
Whenever it is not in your mouth, it should be in its plastic appliance case.
Please do not eat any foods that could damage your appliances and delay your treatment. Wear a mouth guard for any activities that might injure your teeth, gums, or cheeks. Visit us at our Greensboro Office for a free consult for Invisalign treatment.