Care is important for any kind of dental equipment or device, and a great example here is the increasingly popular realm of Invisalign treatments. Serving as a great alternative to braces, Invisalign straightens the teeth with clear, nearly-invisible custom aligners - and like many other dental approaches, proper care will be very helpful for maximizing the effectiveness of Invisalign treatments.
At Hillfield Pediatric & Family Dentistry, we're here to offer a wide range of cosmetic dentistry solutions to clients around Layton, including Invisalign treatments, teeth whitening, veneers and more - plus numerous other family dental services as well. In this two-part blog series, we'll go over some of the simple, straightforward ways you can care for Invisalign products, helping improve their effectiveness and leading to optimal outcomes.
One of the great things about Invisalign is the fact that aligners can be removed for meals and other oral care tasks, such as brushing or flossing. At the same time, one important area where this flexibility requires additional attention is in terms of soaking - aligners should be soaked every day to keep them clean and free of bacteria that can lead to plaque and other issues.
Many people choose a standard time where they know they'll be brushing their teeth, such as before bed or upon waking up, to soak the aligner. Others choose an unrelated daily task that takes roughly 15 minutes - soaking Invisalign for this long is generally recommended at minimum.
On top of daily soaking needs, Invisalign aligners should also be cleaned regularly with a soft-bristled brush and antibacterial soap. Note that this is in addition to regular brushing habits - cleaning the aligners helps remove any additional debris or bacteria that may have built up over the course of a day, helping them stay as clear and effective as possible.
In particular, make sure you're reaching all areas of the aligner, including around any attachments that may have been added during your treatment. These are small bumps that help hold the aligner in place, and they can trap bacteria or debris if you're not careful.
While cleaning, it's important to avoid harsh or abrasive materials that might damage the aligner. This includes toothpaste or mouthwash that contains abrasives - they may remove plaque and bacteria, but they can also scratch or cause other damage to aligners if used too often.
One more important cleaning area: Rinsing out the aligners when you're done soaking them or cleaning them. Make sure to use clean, cool water and rinse thoroughly - this is especially important if you have any allergies or sensitivities that may react negatively to the aligner materials being present in your mouth for too long.
In part two of our series, we'll go over a few more areas where proper care for Invisalign aligners, including brushing, flossing and more. At Hillfield Pediatric & Family Dentistry, we're here to provide all the dental services you and your family need - for more on our Invisalign or other cosmetic or general dentistry options, speak to one of our staff today.
