Do’s and Don’ts of Clear Aligners

Do’s and Don’ts of Clear Aligners in Kalamazoo, MI

Getting the Most Out of Your Clear Aligners

Clear teeth aligners are a great way to straighten teeth without the brackets and wires of traditional braces. If you are considering clear aligner therapy, knowing the do’s and don’ts associated with this type of cosmetic service is crucial.

Clear Aligner Do’s

You can do many things to ensure the best experience when using clear teeth aligners. There is much more to a successful treatment than just wearing the aligners for a specific amount of time. It’s important to understand all of the best practices associated with clear aligner treatment, including:

• Take aligners out every morning – Overnight, bacteria can build up in your mouth, so it’s crucial to take your clear aligner trays out every morning, brush your teeth, and clean the aligners thoroughly before putting them back in.
• Take aligners out to clean before bed – Before settling into bed for the night, take your aligners out briefly to clean them and brush your teeth. This is important for overall dental health during this treatment process.
• Rinse off aligners each time they’re removed – Whenever you take your aligners out, especially to eat, make sure to rinse them off. This will help keep bacteria at bay and out of your mouth and prevent plaque from building up on your teeth.
• Soak aligners once a day – Take the time to soak your clear aligners once daily in either cleaning crystals or denture cleaner. This will help aligners look and smell their best.
• Wear aligners for 20-22 hours each day – to experience the best results while wearing your clear aligners, they should be worn consistently for 20-22 hours every day. Without this dedication, you won’t experience this cosmetic service’s full value and benefit.
• Stay well-prepared – Carry a small bag with you that contains all the tools needed to keep your teeth and clear aligners clean, for example, mouthwash, toothpaste, and a toothbrush or two.
• Keep aligners out of heat – Hot environments can negatively impact clear aligners. Keep your clear aligner teeth out of the sun, out of hot cars, and away from excessive heat.
• Brush and floss consistently – Always brush and floss your teeth before putting aligners back in your mouth. This will ensure that clean teeth and gums come into contact with the clear aligners and reduce the chances of food particles getting stuck in the clear aligner against your teeth.
• Continue regular dental checkups – During your dental treatment, you should also keep up with regular dental cleanings and checkups to make sure your teeth and gums are staying in good shape during treatment.

Clear Aligner Don’ts

Just like all of the best practices for clear aligner teeth, there are also things that you should avoid while going through clear aligner treatment. For the best treatment results, it’s recommended that patients:

• Don’t eat or drink while wearing aligners – Clear aligners should always be removed before eating food or drinking anything other than water. Hot foods and drinks especially can damage clear aligners.
• Don’t skip a day of treatment – The best results come when you wear your aligners for 20-22 hours daily. Skipping just one day of treatment can significantly impact the treatment, including lengthening the time you will have to be in treatment.
• Don’t use sharp objects to remove aligners – Clear aligners should only be removed using your hands, never a sharp object, as it can damage the clear aligner and your teeth and gums.
• Don’t wrap aligners in a paper towel or napkins – It’s all too common for aligners to get wrapped in a paper towel or napkin during mealtimes. However, this can cause particles to get into the clear aligner and increase the chances of the aligners accidentally being thrown away.
• Don’t place them in the dishwasher – You should never use it to clean your aligners. The hot temperatures from the water in the dishwasher can damage the aligners.

Contact KZoo Family Dental Today.

Knowing the do’s and don’ts of clear aligners can help you better prepare for clear aligner treatment, whether you’re using clean aligners vs. Invisalign. If you want to know how clear aligners work or are looking for more information about dental services, don’t hesitate to contact the KZoo Family Dental team.  Our team can discuss all aspects of this cosmetic treatment with you, answer your questions, and address your concerns. Our team is here to help make a dream smile a reality for patients in and around Kalamazoo, MI. Contact us today to request an appointment.