3 Tips to Amplify Your Invisalign Results

Invisalign is a popular alternative for straightening your teeth without the traditional “metal mouth” challenges. The clear aligners are much faster, less painful and more convenient because they’re removable. As great as they are, you can actually accelerate your success by keeping these three top tips in mind.

Wear Your Aligners as Instructed!

You’re heading out to the Crane Trust Nature Center with your friends. You’re tempted to leave your aligners at home. “I’ll feel so much more carefree without them, and what can it hurt?” you think.

Oops! That’s a big mistake. It should go without saying, but unfortunately, it doesn’t: Your Invisalign treatment won’t work as planned if you don’t wear the aligners as instructed. To get that beautiful smile you’re investing in, consider these wearing instructions as MUSTS, not suggestions:

• Keep your aligners in 22 or more hours a day, every day.
• During the first 48 hours with each new tray, take them out only to brush.
• Change trays only when the dentist says it’s time. You won’t speed up your progress by stepping up to the next tray before then.
• Wear your after-treatment retainer according to the dentist’s schedule so you don’t lose your progress.

An added bonus of wearing your aligners continually is that your ability to speak with them in will improve more rapidly if you aren’t constantly taking them in and out to talk.

Step Up Your Dental Hygiene

Did you know that one of the purposes of saliva is to remove debris from your teeth? When you put your aligner in, any residue, plaque or bacteria that are present gets trapped by the aligners.

No one wants to sacrifice healthy teeth for straight teeth. That’s why it’s very important to:

• Drink a lot of water.
• Follow the dentist’s instructions about what and what not to eat.
• Brush AND floss daily.

It’s also been discovered that using a whitening toothpaste during your treatment period takes advantage of the saliva principle, but in reverse. Fluoride and whitening solution stay in contact with your teeth for longer because the aligners prevent saliva from rinsing them away. (Don’t use other whitening treatments during your treatment period, though.)  

Help Your Aligners Help You

Naturally, you should keep your Invisalign trays clean. You can use special Invisalign products, but warm water and soap will do the trick. Don’t use toothpaste, as it could scratch the plastic and provide an environment for bacteria to live.

It’s worth mentioning that following the dentist’s recommendation for Invisalign attachments or “buttons” can speed up treatment time.

No matter how obvious you feel your Invisalign trays and attachments may be, they’re actually less visible than you think and they’re a far cry from the sight of traditional braces. Invisalign is the preferred treatment when it comes to straightening teeth in record time, with less pain and better hygiene capabilities. And you have the power to amplify that effect!

About the Author

Father and son partners Dr. Steven Stec and Dr. CJ Stec along with Dr. Jacob Stines are committed to knowing their patients, investing in the most advanced dental technology and providing the best comfort, care and convenience possible. Call 308-382-4440 to find about their flexible, customized Invisalign treatment program.