Invisalign: A Day in the Life

 When you have teeth that aren't lined up correctly or teeth that are crooked, it can affect your ability to chew and speak properly. You might also have trouble keeping your teeth clean and free of decay. Invisalign offers a way for you to conveniently straighten your teeth and make sure they're lined up correctly. Learn more about what to expect when you wear these aligners.

How to Wear Invisalign

   Invisalign is a set of aligners that you put over your teeth. These aligners help shift your teeth into the correct position over a specific period of time. You'll end up wearing different sets of aligners as your teeth gradually move, which generally happens every one to two weeks. To wear these aligners, all you have to do is place them on your teeth and take them out at certain times. Invisalign won't interfere much with your day-to-day life, but there are some things you should know about wearing them.

 Daily Instructions for Invisalign

   Overall, you should wear your aligners for 22 to 23 hours each day to ensure that they're able to work properly. You can take them out when you're eating and drinking, but they should remain in at all other times.

   After getting up, you should take your aligners out and clean them as part of your morning routine. Make sure you brush your teeth after eating breakfast before putting your aligners back in. If possible, you should also brush your teeth after lunch and dinner before your aligners go back in your mouth. This helps keep bits of food from sticking to them and increasing your risk of tooth and gum problems, such as decay.

   You should avoid drinking sugary beverages during the day when you're unable to brush your teeth directly afterwards. Instead, stick to water as much as possible. You should also avoid chewing gum when you have your aligners in.

   Before you go to bed, make sure you clean your aligners. You should also brush and floss your teeth before you put your aligners back in for bed.

   Keep in mind that dentist visits for   Invisalign won't have much of an effect on your daily life either. You'll actually visit the dentist less overall than you would with braces.

   If you need more information on Invisalign, please contact   Great Lakes Dental to set up an appointment with our dentist.