Why You Need to Keep Your Invisalign Trays Clean
Getting Invisalign® is an exciting development in your goal to improve your smile. In less time than wearing braces, you can straighten your crooked teeth and repair other oral health and cosmetic concerns. You have a responsibility to follow your dentist’s instructions and to properly maintain and clean the plastic trays. If you neglect these duties, you may find that the treatment will not work as well.
The process of getting Invisalign
Before getting clear aligners, the patient will meet with the dentist to make sure it is the right decision. The dentist will explain how the aligners work, what the benefits are, and whether the individual is a good candidate. Next, the dentist will take X-rays and make 3D impressions of the patient’s mouth. These pictures allow the dentist to come up with a treatment plan. Also, the dentist will then fabricate a plastic aligner to fit nicely in the patient’s mouth. Over time, the aligners will put pressure on the teeth, moving them into the correct places.
The trays can smell bad
Invisalign trays will do their job well if patients wear them as instructed. The trays can start to smell unpleasant, however, if the patient fails to clean them properly. Debris and food can get onto the trays leaving a foul odor behind. It is similar to a person having bad breath because of a failure to brush and floss. Rinsing and brushing the aligners can keep them smelling fresh all day.
The trays can grow bacteria
Much like good oral hygiene staves off the buildup of bacteria on teeth, cleaning Invisalign trays has the same effect on the aligners. This could cause the trays to become misshapen or discolored. The wearer should brush the trays with non-gritty toothpaste each day. Soaking the trays for several minutes a day in a denture-cleaning solution can also help.
Tooth decay and gum disease could result
Just because someone wears Invisalign does not mean they can forget about their teeth and gums. The patient should continue to be diligent about brushing and flossing. Similarly, neglecting to clean the trays could have an effect on the person’s mouth. Even after removing the trays to eat, food could get trapped under the appliance when replacing it. It is not cleaned well, the bacteria could grow and spread on the teeth and at the gumline. The results could be an increased risk of having tooth decay and gum disease.
Take this task seriously
When you get clear aligners, you can expect to achieve your goals of getting a new smile. This does not preclude you from being vigilant about cleaning and maintaining your Invisalign trays. Brush, rinse, and soak the trays every day so that you can ensure that they look and smell good. As you properly care for your aligners, you should not have to worry about replacing them too soon or prolonging your treatment. If you have any concerns about how your aligners are fitting or working, chat with your dentist.
Request an appointment here: https://smilowfamilydentistry.com or call Smilow Family Dentistry, P.C. at (973) 379-2202 for an appointment in our Springfield Township office.
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