4 Things To Know About Looking After Invisalign Braces
Posted on: 26 April 2023
Invisalign braces are easier to live with and look after than permanently-fixed braces. Their trays are removable, so you can eat and drink what you want. You also don't have to spend a lot of time cleaning around brace posts to avoid possible enamel damage.
However, you do have to take some care of your braces. If you don't, then you could damage them or extend your treatment time. Read on to learn more about your tray care responsibilities.
1. Eating and Drinking
You shouldn't eat anything while wearing Invisalign trays. Food can damage or stain trays, so you take them out when you eat.
Drinks won't break trays but they can stain them. Red wine, coffee, tea, and colored sodas will change the color of the trays and make them more visible. Water is the only thing you should drink when your trays are in place.
While your trays are removable, they should stay in your mouth most of the time. Your treatment will go faster if you get in the habit of eating and drinking around meal times when you are supposed to remove your braces.
2. Cleaning Your Teeth
While you might brush your teeth twice a day now, you might need to brush more frequently during your Invisalign treatment. Your dentist might tell you to clean your teeth after every meal to remove food and drink residues that could stain your trays.
If you take trays out between meals, say to have a quick coffee, then it's worth rinsing your mouth with water to get rid of any staining liquid left on your teeth. This will keep your trays clean and clear.
3. Cleaning Your Trays
Your dentist will tell you how often to clean your trays. You might need to do this multiple times a day. Clean trays stay clear and won't smell. Typically, you simply brush trays gently with a soft toothbrush and water. You shouldn't use toothpaste. It can abrade trays and make them look cloudy.
You also shouldn't use hot water on your trays; it can warp their plastic. Your dentist can recommend special cleaning solutions to brighten trays if they ever start to look dull.
4. Storing Your Trays
You should use a storage case to keep your braces safe when you don't wear them. Even though they might only be out of your mouth for short periods, you can damage or lose trays if they aren't in a case. For example, if you accidentally drop a tray, it might crack or even break. A tray protects it from damage.
To find out more about how to care for Invisalign, contact a professional near you.
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