When you choose Invisalign to straighten your teeth, you want to make sure you’re taking the right steps in order to be successful. Invisalign and Invisalign Teen is an investment, and you want to make sure you follow all the right steps to get the brilliant smile you’ve always dreamed of having. Dr. Gardner and Gardner Orthodontics also wants to make sure you’re successful. The team of dental professionals at Gardner Orthodontics knows that your success depends on following a few simple steps every day. With these daily steps, you can help ensure that you get the results you want out of your Invisalign aligners and put yourself in a better position to get that beautiful smile.
Step One: Wear Your Aligners
This one seems obvious, but it’s a step that many patients struggle with. Once you decide that you’re going to use Invisalign to straighten your teeth, you need to be wearing your aligners as often as possible. The more you wear your aligners, the better your teeth shift to fit the new alignment and the sooner you will be able to move into the next stage of your treatment. Your teeth won’t change if your aligners are constantly sitting in the boxes!
Step Two: Take Along Your Case
You have a case for holding your Invisalign aligners for a reason: so that you can use it! When you have to take your aligners out for any reason, make sure that you place them in your case. Ideally, you want a bright, colorful case that will stand out from any trash or detritus you might, for example, have on your lunch tray. When you need to take your Invisalign aligners out to eat or drink, make sure you place them in that case. Early in your use of Invisalign, develop a habit of putting the case in your purse, bag, or pocket instead of placing them on the table in front of you. This will help prevent you from accidentally leaving them sitting or from mistakenly throwing them away, which can be a costly mistake!
Step Three: Take Them Out to Eat
Your aligners need to come out when you’re eating to help prevent damage to the appliances. Take them out while you’re eating or drinking, then brush your teeth and pop them back in when you’re done. This will help ensure that you’re getting the best results!
Step Four: Watch Your Fit
The fit of your Invisalign aligners is more important than the dates when you’re “supposed” to put in a new aligner. When you first pull a new one out of the box, it should have a tight fit for 3-4 days. If it feels uncomfortable and doesn’t seem to fit correctly beyond that, go back to your previous aligner and make sure to call Gardner Orthodontics as soon as possible.
It’s also important to watch how your aligners fit each day as you put them in your mouth. Each time you take them out and put them in again, massage the aligners gently into place. Don’t just throw them into your mouth, bite down, and hope for the best!
Step Five: Clean Your Aligners
You don’t want to wear your aligners without ever cleaning them. Not only will it lead to bad breath, it can increase your odds of cavities and other problems. Follow Dr. Gardner’s instructions for cleaning your aligners. You may choose to use the Invisalign cleaning system to help ensure that you’re getting the best possible clean.
Step Six: Keep Your Appointments
You’ve chosen Invisalign because convenience is important to you. That doesn’t mean that you should skip your appointments! Taking the time to regularly attend your scheduled appointments is critical to ensuring proper treatment and make sure you get the most out of your aligners.
Keeping up with Invisalign aligners is far easier than using traditional braces, which can break or cause damage to the interior of your mouth. By following these steps, you can ensure that you’ll get the most out of each day of your Invisalign treatment.
Dr. Gardner is an expert in the Invisalign system, and he will effortlessly guide you through the process of fitting and wearing your aligners properly. If you’re ready to start your Invisalign journey, or simply need to schedule your next appointment during your treatment process, contact us at (804) 282-0505. We can’t wait to help you achieve your best smile!
