How to Ensure Invisalign is a Success for You

Making the decision to invest in Invisalign is one of the best things anyone can do for their oral health and confidence, but along with it, comes the responsibility of proper maintenance. Invisalign has been successful for more than 8 million patients in the last 22 years, but those victories didn’t come without effort. It’s important to follow all of the instructions your dentist provides. Below, we’ve provided a few simple tips to help you take the best care of your teeth during and after the process, so that you can achieve the smile of your dreams!

Tips for Successful Invisalign Treatment

While your dentist is responsible for the crafting and provision of all of your Invisalign trays throughout the treatment process, it’s up to you to make sure that you are setting your smile up for success. So, what are some practical and easy things that you can do to make sure you’re making the best of your investment?

• Floss every day. While a lot of people would say they brush regularly, flossing is something that often gets pushed to the backburner. It’s more important than ever to floss with Invisalign because any leftover residue on the teeth will adhere to the aligners, and saliva cannot rinse off covered teeth.
• Follow the instructions regarding how long to wear your aligners. In order for the aligners to properly adjust your teeth, they need to be worn for 20 – 22 hours per day, and only removed for the purpose of eating and cleaning your teeth. The more closely you follow the timeframes, the quicker you will see results.
• Clean your aligners properly. There are plenty of cleansing options out there, including Invisalign’s own brand, however, rinsing your trays with warm water and antibacterial soap is also an effective way to clean them.
• If you are given dietary restrictions, adhere to them. Your dentist will be able to provide clearer diet recommendations for you, however, one of the most important is to ensure that you do not eat or drink anything other than water while you are wearing the trays. In order to keep your teeth healthy while your smile is being perfected, it’s important to stick to the plan!
• Take advantage of the trays and use a whitening toothpaste. Even when someone uses a whitening toothpaste, much of the product is rinsed off by the saliva after brushing. With Invisalign, there is an added advantage of a protective layer to assist the remnants of the toothpaste adhering to the teeth.

What Does Post-Invisalign Maintenance Look Like?

As with braces, after the Invisalign treatment process is complete, your dentist will provide you with retainers that will help support the work done by the aligners. It’s crucial to wear the retainers whenever your dentist recommends in order to prevent your teeth from shifting back into misalignment. 

Invisalign is a great option for anyone wanting to perfect their smile and maintain confidence while doing so. As long as you take care of your aligners and teeth throughout the treatment process, you’re sure to see success!

About the Author

The team at STEC Cosmetic and Family Dentistry is led by father and son dentists, Dr. Steven Stec and Dr. CJ Stec, as well as Dr. Jacob Stines. They are dedicated to ensuring that the families of Grand Island receive the highest caliber treatment. They prioritize building relationships with their patients and providing any tools needed for successful Invisalign treatments. The team uses the most up-to-date dental technologies, allowing them to provide unique treatment for every individual patient. Are you ready to set your smile straight with Invisalign? Visit our team online, or call us at (308) 646-2014.