After months of searching on the internet for the perfect solution to your slightly crooked smile, you finally decide to go ahead and get invisible braces.
Fast forward a few weeks and you are in the dentist’s chair as your dentist discusses with you how to wear and care for your new removable aligners. At Invisalign Hertfordshire, we explain to you every point in the care of yourself and your aligners, as well as providing you with a printed sheet to explain how to care for your aligners and how to avoid pitfalls. You will also have 24 hours access to us per e-mail and WhatsApp should you require any further assistance.
There is a myth that once you have Invisalign in Hertfordshire fitted, that your teeth will straighten in a faster time and you won’t have to worry about a thing. However, many patients struggle when any kind of orthodontic appliance is fitted and so, in this article, we will discuss some survival tips for getting through those first few weeks of your Invisalign treatment.
Manage discomfort
Any orthodontic treatment, regardless of how severe the underlying issue is, will be slightly uncomfortable and normally last for 24-48 hours so, when it comes to Invisalign in Hertfordshire, you need to manage the discomfort. Some patients prefer to use over the counter pain relief (such as ibuprofen) to ease the sensation of pressure, if in doubt contact your dentist for an assessment.
Dental wax!
Invisible aligners are custom 3d printed to slot over your teeth perfectly.
Unfortunately, sometimes the edges of a newly fitted aligner rub against your inner cheeks and tongue as you talk and eat. At Invisalign in Hertfordshire, we provide dental wax as part of your Invisalign care pack. Placing the wax on those edges will alleviate the friction, leading to a more comfortable experience.
Sing regularly
No, this isn’t a joke!
When invisible aligners are placed in your mouth, your tongue sometimes just needs some time to adjust, so for a very short period of time, your speech might be slightly affected.
So, an easy way to get your speech pattern back on track is to keep on talking or to start singing. Incidentally, if your neighbors complain about the noise or your work colleagues call you a Chatterbox, it is not the fault of your dental team!
Aim to sing (at whichever volume you are comfortable with) for an hour a day in the first couple of days.
Cleaning the aligner
To clean your new invisible aligner, simply run it under a lukewarm tap.
If needed, brush with toothpaste and toothbrush; do not use mouthwash, do not use boiling water (this may cause distortions of the aligner), and do not use any product that may stain the aligner. After all, you want the aligners to stay invisible!
Hygiene
Invisible aligners are removable, allowing you to brush and floss your teeth as normal, as you just remove your aligners to keep up with your daily oral hygiene regime.
But, in order to keep cavities at bay, you will need to brush your teeth each time you put your aligner in after eating. If you had a sugary drink just rinse your mouth out with water before putting your aligners back in your mouth. This prevents plaque and keeps your teeth free from cavities. Perfect!
