For some of us, a morning coffee is absolutely necessary – but Invisalign patients need to be extra careful!
Invisalign is awesome. It helps adults and teens straighten their teeth without feeling self-conscious or limiting their daily activities. And it straightens on your own terms. But no matter how convenient Invisalign seems, it’s still an orthodontic treatment, and that means you’ll have to make a few adjustments to the way you treat your teeth.
Fortunately, we’re here to help. Check out a few of our tips to the lesser-known aspects of life with Invisalign below, and get in touch if you have any questions about your own treatment.
Invisalign Secrets for Savvy Patients
- You’ll need to be more careful with your beverages – It’s always best to take out your Invisalign aligners to drink, unless your beverage is water. But anything else could stain your aligners, trap bacteria and acids between your teeth and aligners, and lead to cavities. Try to have your morning coffee with breakfast, so that you can brush and replace your aligners afterwards.
- Travel dental products are a must – You’ll want to clean your teeth every time you eat or drink, so that your final smile is both straight and cavity-free. This means investing in a travel hygiene kit, with toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss. Carry it with you in your purse, briefcase, or backpack, and cleaning will be a breeze.
- There’s an adjustment period for your aligners – When you first start Invisalign, you’ll probably notice a slight lisp when you speak. This is because there’s additional material in your mouth, and your tongue needs to adjust. Within the first 1-2 weeks, you’ll see the lisp fade; try out some tongue-twisters if you need some extra practice!
- Treatment is more comfortable than metal braces – Switching to new Invisalign aligners produces far less discomfort than the monthly adjustments involved with metal braces. Great news for patients (and dentists too)!
- You might lose weight – Snacking becomes more difficult when you’re wearing your aligners, since you need to make a real commitment in order to eat anything. Between removing your aligners, cleaning your teeth, and then replacing your aligners, this takes up a lot of time. Many patients find themselves losing weight because they’re less prone to snacking throughotu the day.
- Post-treatment retainers are key – After treatment, you’re not completely done with orthodontic appliances – you’ll need to wear retainers to maintain your results. Fortunately, you’ll likely only need to wear these at night.
Curious about Invisalign? Set up a free consultation to learn more about whether it’s right for your smile
