If you need to straighten out your teeth but you don’t want to deal with uncomfortable (and unsightly) metal braces, you might be interested in Invisalign. This invisible aligner treatment works the same way as traditional braces but through a transparent set of trays that are hardly noticeable when worn. Your local dentist in Pomona recommends Invisalign to anyone who wants to straighten their teeth with discretion and comfort. Below we cover the top 6 Invisalign mistakes to avoid.
Top 6 Invisalign Mistakes to Avoid
However, Invisalign still requires constant care for the treatment to properly work. By avoiding your dental hygiene habits and by failing to follow your dentist’s instructions, you could end up with an even worse set of teeth. Below, we will go over the top 8 Invisalign mistakes to avoid when going through this helpful treatment.
Chewing Hard Candy
Hard candy is one of the most tempting things to eat when you first start using your aligners because it takes some time to remember that you are wearing something in your mouth. As you get used to your invisible hardware, try not to munch on hard candies or any objects that may break your sensitive aligners.
Chewing the Wrong Foods
Similarly, eating foods that are too hard or too hot can be a detriment to your orthodontic progress. Crunchy bread, cookies, chips, and even raw vegetables may be too intense for your mouth. While you can remove your aligners temporarily throughout the day, you should still make sure you are not eating anything that could potentially damage your teeth.
Forgetting to Clean Your Trays
Did you know that you must clean your Invisalign trays every day? Since you can remove them for up to 2 hours a day, you should use this time to put them in their cleaning solution. While they are soaking, brush and floss your teeth to remove food particles from your last meal. Make sure you do not replace your trays and put them back in your mouth without them being clean. Not only is this a health hazard, but it can stain your invisible aligners as well.
Leaving Your Trays Out for Too Long
While it is possible to take the aligners off of your mouth for just a little bit, you should not leave them sitting out. If your aligners are not sitting in the trays with the proper coverage, they can dry out over time. This can cause your Invisalign braces to shrink, get deformed, or stop working completely.
Using the Wrong Cleaning Products
Your dentist will give you some cleaning products along with your first Invisalign trays when you begin the treatment. At home, you need to use the designated cleaning solution to clean your aligners.
While you may not think that toothpaste can hurt something that is meant to cover your teeth, many types of toothpaste contain acidic chemicals that are too abrasive for sensitive trays. Toothpaste and other cleaning products can damage them too severely.
Smoking and Drinking
It can be hard to quit a smoking habit, but your dentist may not want you to start an Invisalign treatment until you have completely stopped. Smoke can cause discoloration on your aligners, making them visible and unsightly to anyone who sees them. What’s worse, smoking and drinking can damage your health, making it harder for your body to heal. If you are to suffer damage during your Invisalign treatment, you may not have the immune capacity to get back on the right track to good health.
Visit Your Orthodontic Specialist Today
If you are looking for the best options for Invisalign in Pomona, look no further. Our professionals can help you find out what kind of treatment will work best for you. If you are a good candidate for our innovative Invisalign procedure, you will be fitted for a custom set of trays that you can take with you wherever you go. With less pain and a shorter treatment time than traditional metal braces, Invisalign is the orthodontic treatment of the future.
