You've decided to straighten your teeth with Invisalign, and we congratulate you. It's time to get back to work and adjust to a new routine. While this may seem difficult at first, it is possible, especially with our Langley dentists' tips and tricks to help you stick with your Invisalign treatment.
Tips for Sticking with Invisalign Treatment
Starting orthodontic treatment with Invisalign clear aligners can feel daunting at first because there are a few things to remember about your treatment plan, and you will need to adjust to wearing your aligners for 22 hours each day. That said, getting used to your new routine will just take some practice and commitment on your part. In this post, our Langley dentists share some tips to help make your Invisalign treatment go more smoothly so you get the most value from your investment.
Commit to wearing your Invisalign aligners full-time
Your dedication to treatment will help you lay a solid foundation for future success. You'll need some time to adapt and adjust to the new changes in your daily routine, just like you'll need time to adapt and adjust to other good habits. To see the expected results as treatment progress (and to enjoy a straighter smile at the end of treatment), you'll need to wear your aligners the majority of the time. Expect to wear your clear aligners for about two weeks before your mouth gets used to them. You may have grown accustomed to wearing them rather than not wearing them at this point.
You must wear your clear aligners for at least 22 hours per day, removing them only to eat, drink, and brush your teeth, as directed in the instructions. As you switch to new aligners and they fit comfortably on your teeth, you should notice the benefits of your diligent compliance with your treatment plan.
Clean your clear aligners while you eat
You can't wear your aligners while eating anyway. Why not make the most of the time you don't have them in your mouth by soaking them in a cleaning solution while you eat?
Before removing your aligners, soak them in a diluted mouthwash, the special Invisalign cleaning solution, or a denture cleaner (as long as none of these are coloured, as coloured solutions will stain your aligners). To keep your clear aligners fresh and clean, do this twice a week.
Set a timer
If you're easily distracted or forgetful, setting a timer on your phone can help you remember to replace your aligners. It's critical to wear your aligners for 22 hours a day, and not replacing them after eating or brushing your teeth will slow down your progress toward straighter teeth.
Setting a timer can help you remember until the habit becomes ingrained, which can be difficult in the first few weeks.
Learn To Talk With Your Aligners In
You'll probably notice that you speak with a lisp when you first start your treatment and put your first aligners in your mouth. This is normal as your mouth adjusts to the aligners in place. Once you've adapted, your speech will return to normal, but in the meantime, keep talking — call a friend, talk to yourself, sing along with your favourite playlist, or read aloud to practise.