As we’ve talked about before, discovering “bad bites” can even happen with toddlers. Developing proper dentition as a teenager is an important step for a confident smile. Once all your child’s permanent teeth have come in, one of the recommended treatment options for poor alignment is Invisalign. Transform your child’s smile with an easy and comfortable alternative to traditional braces! We often recommend Invisalign at our San Antonio and San Marcos offices.
It’s crucial to keep up with your Invisalign instructions from your dentist! But there’s more to Invisalign than your on-paper treatment plan. We can offer even more tips that can ensure your child gets the most out of the first few weeks of treatment and beyond. Adjusting to life with Invisalign can be a challenge, but these tricks can help both parents and adolescents get the right start on their journey!
Aligners Should Work Around the Clock
Your orthodontist will have updates to your dental routine when you start Invisalign. For the first 48 hours with new aligners, Invisalign should be on all the time unless you’re eating or brushing. But even after the first two days, adolescents will wear their aligners for 21-22 hours a day. That may seem like a long time, but it’s a very important part of Invisalign! The more time aligners spend working, the faster and easier the treatment plan will take effect.
An app or simple timer can help keep track of how long the trays are worn daily to ensure the best results from your treatment plan. Wearing your Invisalign will become a habit. Still, remembering to put them back in after meals can be hard for the first few weeks. Use an app or your clock countdown timer until replacing your aligners becomes natural.
Become a Brushing and Flossing Expert Before You Start
One of the worst changes with Invisalign is brushing your teeth 4 to 5 times each day. Since Invisalign covers the teeth for the majority of the day, any food that is stuck on or between teeth becomes trapped and causes tooth decay. It can even disrupt your treatment plan by altering the shape of the aligners over time. It’s critical to always keep your mouth clean by brushing after every time that you eat, even after snacks.
Before you begin wearing your aligners, practice by brushing your teeth multiple times every day to get into the necessary routine. Even increasing your flossing can help promote healthier gums and better dental habits before you begin Invisalign. Once your treatment plan has begun, carry a dental cleaning kit in a purse, bag, or pocket. A travel-sized toothbrush, floss, retainer case, and aligner chewies are easy essentials to carry for all-day care.
Take Good Care of Your Most Important Treatment Tool
Don’t forget that you have to clean your Invisalign as well. Even with a pristine mouth and regular brushing, you will still need to clean your aligners every day with a mixture of antibacterial soap and lukewarm water (remember to rinse well!). It’s important to use a soap that is colorless and easy on the aligners. Otherwise, they can stain over time and tint your teeth while you wear them.
In addition, quickly freshen your aligners up with a diluted mixture of clear mouthwash and water if they have a funny taste from being in your mouth all day. By using the right mouthwash and soap for cleaning your Invisalign, you’ll prevent the warping and staining that many people experience from poor aligner upkeep!
Are You Ready for a Brighter Smile?
Invisalign is a big step for both parents and adolescents. Make sure that you start your journey right and set yourself up for a transformed smile! Besides our beginner tips above, it’s also important to follow your orders from the professionals, like our own Dr. G and Dr. A. If you experience any kind of long-term pain, sharp edges, or tray distortion, be sure to contact us or your orthodontist for a follow-up appointment. We are one of the top providers of Invisalign in the San Antonio and San Marcos areas, and our teams are here to serve you.
