Caring for your teeth during Invisalign treatment

Caring for your teeth during Invisalign treatment

Invisalign is an increasingly popular orthodontic treatment and one you might be considering to help fix crooked, gappy or misaligned teeth. Before contacting us to find out whether Invisalign treatment is right for you, it’s worth learning more about the system and the impact it will have on your daily oral care routine.

What Does Invisalign Do To Your Teeth?

Invisalign uses a series of bespoke aligners made from clear, medical-grade plastic to gradually move your teeth into the desired position. These aligners are changed approximately every two weeks, with the entire treatment lasting about six to eight months.

The great thing about Invisalign is that you can remove the aligners, allowing you to eat, brush, and floss without the hindrance of traditional braces. This means that you can pretty much carry on with your normal oral health routine but with a few extra precautions to ensure that your teeth and gums stay healthy, as this is key to the success of your treatment.

How To Clean Invisalign 

It is really important to keep your Invisalign aligners clean, not just because trapped food particles can spread bacteria, but also because stained aligners will make them more visible to others, defeating the object of you opting for an invisible teeth straightening treatment. 

Follow these tips to keep your retainers clean:

  • Use room temperature water
  • Use either a clear soap, denture cleaner, or Invisalign cleaning crystals
  • Put them away in a case when you’re not wearing them - i.e. when eating, and cleaning teeth - to keep them safe and ensure you don’t accidentally throw them away

How To Clean Your Teeth and Gums During Treatment

It is relatively easy for food particles to get stuck between your teeth; wearing your retainers without brushing your teeth can prevent saliva from washing these particles away, which can lead to bacteria and plaque build-up. It is therefore a good idea to brush and floss after meals, before you put your trays back in.

Eating and Drinking With Invisalign

The great thing about Invisalign is that the trays are removable, so you can easily take them out to eat, meaning you can still enjoy all your favourite foods and drinks. However, as we have already explained, to prevent the bacteria build up that can lead to plaque and decay, you’ll need to brush and floss after eating, so this means limiting snacking in between meals.  Snacking between meals will not only put your teeth and gums at risk but will also result in you wearing your retainers for less time than recommended - as you’ll need time to eat and wait about 30 minutes before you brush.

Got Questions About Invisalign Treatment and Caring For Your Teeth?

Now that you know a little more about what Invisalign treatment involves please feel free to get in touch if you have any questions. You can read our blog for lots of helpful tips and advice on Invisalign and teeth straightening treatments or contact our practice on 020 8265 9797 to book a consultation.