The Straight Talk on Oral Hygiene & Aligners
Congratulations on starting your journey to a straighter smile! While how your teeth look is important, caring about the health of your teeth is even more important if you want to keep your smile for years to come.
When wearing aligners, your daily oral care routine becomes more critical. The alignment storage trays can contain bacteria and, if the tray and aligner not cared for properly, could lead to tooth decay or gum disease. Thus it is important to keep your aligner tray as hygienic and transparent as possible.
The experts at Tri-Cities Orthodontics offers these tips to keep your future smile and oral health in check:
Regular brushing will not only result in clean teeth and gums, but it will also help accelerate the movement of your teeth. Replace your toothbrush every three months or when the bristles become frayed (whichever comes first). A separate soft-bristled toothbrush should be used for cleaning your aligner trays.
Use anti-bacterial soap, not toothpaste, to clean your aligners. Toothpaste scratches the aligner, causing it to lose its transparency. Plaque-removing cleaning kits are also available online for a nominal cost. Hot water and traditional mouthwashes should not be used for cleaning, as they can damage and discolor the aligner.
Always remove your aligner whenever you’re eating or drinking anything except water. Before putting your aligners back in on your mouth, it’s recommended to brush your teeth and rinse the aligners to keep them clean and clear.
Eating fresh fruits and vegetables is not only good for your overall health; they also increase saliva production which helps to eliminate food particles caught in your teeth.
If you’re a coffee drinker, eat something (perhaps an apple?) then brush your teeth and use a tongue scraper before inserting your aligners. This helps to avoid coffee-stained teeth and minimize tooth-weakening acids.
Visit your dentist every six months for a check-up. He or she can help diagnose any issues be they become a problem.
At Tri-Cities Orthodontic Specialists we stop at nothing until our patients’ smiles are full of confidence! Visit our welcoming, family-oriented team who will attend to your every orthodontic treatment need. To schedule an appointment please call (276) 642-0043 or complete and submit our request form. Our scheduling coordinator will contact you to confirm your appointment.
Sources
https://www.texasdentalhealth.com/blog/2018/01/13/clear-aligners/
https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Invisalign
https://www.verywellhealth.com/how-to-care-for-invisalign-retainers-1059347