Invisalign

How to Wear and Care for Your Invisalign

Invisalign is a fantastic way to straighten your smile without the look or feel of traditional braces, but the results really do come down to how you use and care for your aligners day to day. Here is everything you need to know to get the most out of your treatment.

Wearing Your Invisalign

Putting Your Aligners In

Before popping in a new set of aligners, give your teeth a quick brush and rinse the aligners with lukewarm water. Avoid hot water, since it can actually warp the plastic and ruin the fit. Hold each aligner by the edges and press it gently onto your teeth until it sits snugly in place.

Stick to the Schedule

Aim to wear your aligners 20 to 22 hours every day. They should only come out when you eat, drink anything other than water, brush, and floss. Most patients move to the next set every two weeks, but we will let you know exactly what your schedule looks like.

Keeping Your Aligners Clean

Rinse your aligners every time you take them out, and clean them daily with a soft-bristle toothbrush and a clear antibacterial soap or the official Invisalign cleaning crystals. Skip regular toothpaste, since most are too abrasive and can leave tiny scratches that make the aligners look cloudy.

Handle with Clean Hands

Always wash your hands before touching your aligners to keep bacteria out of your mouth. When the aligners are not in your mouth, keep them in their case. Wrapping them in a napkin is the fastest way to throw them out by accident, and replacements take time.

Caring for Your Smile During Treatment

Stay on Top of Oral Hygiene

Brush and floss after meals and before putting your aligners back in. Trapping food or sugar against your teeth under the aligners is a quick path to cavities and bad breath, so a clean mouth before reinserting is a must.

Protect Your Aligners from Stains

Always take your aligners out before eating or drinking anything other than water. Coffee, tea, wine, soda, and even sports drinks can stain the plastic and make your aligners look noticeable, plus the heat from hot drinks can warp them.

Come in for Your Check-Ins

Plan to see us every 8 to 12 weeks, or as we recommend, so we can keep tabs on your progress and make sure your teeth are tracking the way they should. These short visits are a key part of staying on schedule.

A Little Pressure Is Normal

When you switch to a fresh set of aligners, you may notice some pressure or mild soreness for the first day or two. That feeling is actually a good sign, since it means the aligners are doing their job. The discomfort usually fades quickly as your teeth adjust.

If Something Goes Wrong

Take a quick look in the mirror each day to count your attachments (the small tooth-colored buttons on your teeth). If one pops off, give us a call right away. Same goes for a lost or damaged aligner. The sooner we know, the faster we can sort out a fix and keep your treatment on track.

Stick with these habits, wear your aligners as much as possible, and keep up with your visits, and you will be well on your way to the straighter smile you have been working toward. If you ever have questions during your Invisalign journey, the team at Perfect Smile Dental Care is just a phone call away.