Do you currently wear Invisalign® clear aligners? Are you beginning treatment soon? Invisalign is designed to look and feel natural while a person is undergoing orthodontic treatment, but that doesn’t mean it’s a walk in the park. 

If not worn correctly or cared for properly, the aligners won’t work the way they are supposed to and the patient may end up disappointed in their results, have to wear the aligners longer, or pay more for treatment. Thankfully, when you abide by the rules and follow these guidelines, you’ll finish treatment on time and be amazed by the results! 

Want to learn if you are a candidate for Invisalign treatment? Dr. Abbey J. Lee in Grant Park is committed to providing excellent care with integrity. Let us help you achieve a perfectly aligned smile! 

Here are seven tips for Invisalign patients: 

1. Wear the aligners for at least 22 hours daily. 

Clear aligners should only be removed for eating, drinking something other than water, and cleaning your teeth and aligners. Don’t make a habit of removing them while attending social events, giving a presentation, or on a date! Keeping the aligners on your teeth for at least 22 hours daily ensures that your teeth are moving to their proper positions on the expected timeline. 

2. Learn how to combat tenderness. 

Adjusting to each set of new aligners will likely cause discomfort. Thankfully, there are simple steps you can take to combat soreness and feel more comfortable, including: 

• Avoid crunchy and chewy foods.
• Massage your teeth with an electric toothbrush. 
• Numb your gums by sucking on an ice cube while your aligners are out.
• Ask your dentist how to smooth rough edges on the aligners at home.
• When switching to a new set of aligners, do it early in the day so the tenderness doesn’t affect your sleep. 

3. Always carry a case. 

Like removable retainers, Invisalign clear aligners are easy to misplace. We’ve heard so many stories of patients throwing them away with their trash after a meal! Make a habit of carrying a case so you always have a safe place to store your aligners. 

4. Stay on schedule with your Invisalign treatment. 

During treatment, you may be given several trays so that you don’t need to visit your dentist as often. It’s important to wear each tray for the allotted time. Don’t try to speed up treatment by moving on to the next tray– your teeth won’t be ready for it! 

5. Practice speaking with the aligners in place.

Braces and aligners will affect your speech in one way or another at first. The key is to practice speaking at home so you get used to the aligners as quickly as possible. The slight lisp or other speech changes should disappear within a few days if you continually talk to yourself or those you feel most comfortable around. 

6. Clean the Invisalign aligners properly. 

Using hot water can damage your Invisalign clear aligners. Other cleaning products can stain them or not clean them enough. Use an approved cleaning solution and cleaning tool daily to ensure your teeth and gums remain healthy throughout treatment. 

Pro tip: Soak your trays in a cleaning solution while you eat to avoid bacteria accumulation!

7. Keep your old set of aligners. 

When it’s time to move on to the next set of aligners, don’t toss out your old ones! If the new ones break or you lose the new ones, the old ones can serve as a backup until you can get a replacement. 

Invisalign in Grant Park

Want to correct your crooked, crowded, or gapped teeth without bulky metal braces? Call (404) 328-7177 today to schedule an initial consultation with Dr. Lee. We look forward to helping you achieve a beautiful smile!