Invisalign is one of the most advanced orthodontic treatments available. It allows patients to achieve perfectly aligned teeth while being barely noticeable. In this article, you will find 10 recommendations on how to get the most out of Invisalign in Winnipeg, as well as when you should seek the care of a dentist near you.
1. Wear your aligners for as long as possible
With Invisalign, the success of the treatment is your responsibility, and it depends on how many hours a day you wear the aligners. Dentists recommend wearing them for at least 22 hours a day, and only taking them out to eat and brush your teeth. This will help you achieve results much faster than expected.
2. Never eat with your aligners
When you eat, your teeth exert a lot of pressure to grind the food. Your aligners are not designed to endure these pressures. Therefore, you should always take them out before you eat. Not even chewing gum is recommended while wearing the trays.
3. Always brush your teeth
When it comes to oral hygiene, you should always follow the recommendations of your dentist in Winnipeg. Brush your teeth after every meal and before re-inserting the aligners to prevent the formation of plaque and having bad breath.
4. Don’t forget to floss
Flossing is extra important while undergoing Invisalign treatment. Oftentimes, food particles become stuck between your teeth and can make it difficult for your aligners to fit correctly. Hence, flossing after each meal is also recommended.
5. Rinse your aligners with cold water
Your Invisalign aligners should be brushed and rinsed with cold water. You should never use hot water to clean your aligners since the hot temperature can cause them to warp. If this happens, the aligners won’t fit and you will have to visit a dental clinic in Winnipeg for a new set.
6. You should never throw out your old aligners
As you probably know, Invisalign treatment consists of a set of clear plastic aligners that you change approximately every two weeks to exert more and more pressure on your teeth until they shift into a fixed position. People often discard the aligners they have already used, but this is not recommended. You should store all of these aligners in case you need to revert to the previous steps of your treatment.
7. You may feel some discomfort
It is very common to experience some mild discomfort after inserting a new custom tray. However, this discomfort is very mild when compared to the discomfort experienced by people with braces after their routine dental appointments. The best way to get rid of this discomfort is by wearing your aligners for the recommended time (over 22 hours a day). This will help your teeth grow accustomed to them and the discomfort will disappear after a couple of days. If you wish, you can also take some over-the-counter pain killers to relieve your symptoms.
8. Expect some excessive salivation
While your body is first adapting to the aligners, you will start to produce more saliva than usual. This is completely normal and should stop after a couple of days.
9. Pay attention to your Invisalign schedule
The most important thing to ensure great and quick results is to follow all of your dentist’s recommendations, including when you should change your aligners. A good way to do this is to put reminders on your phone and calendar.
10. Wear your retainers once you finish treatment
Finishing Invisalign treatment is very rewarding. You should do everything you can to maintain your results over time and the only way to do this is by wearing your retainers at night or as recommended by your dentist.