Many patients believe that since Invisalign aligners are removable, they can do whatever they want during their treatment. This is not true. Just like traditional metal braces, there are certain things you shouldn’t do. When you receive Invisalign treatment from Dr. Fornalczyk at Advanced Dentistry of Butler, he will give you a set of guidelines to follow to ensure your treatment goes well. Listed below are things you shouldn’t do with your Invisalign aligners.
Don’t Eat Wearing Your Aligners
One of the most important things you shouldn’t do with your Invisalign aligners is wearing them while you eat. This includes all food items, even gum, and hard candy. If you eat with your Invisalign aligners in, they can potentially become damaged and stained. In addition, removing food particles from your aligners will be difficult to accomplish. If you’re going to eat anything, please remove your aligners first.
Don’t Drink Anything Besides Water
While you might think it’s harmless to drink coffee or a soda while you’re wearing your Invisalign aligners, it actually isn’t. The only liquid you should ingest while wearing your aligners is plain still water. Do not drink soda, coffee, alcohol, or even sparkling water with your aligners in. Carbonation, sugar, and coloring can damage and stain your aligners.
Don’t Get Your Aligners Dirty
Keep your aligners clean at all times. If you’re going to eat or drink anything, remove your aligners first. Once you’re finished, you should brush your teeth and rinse your aligners before you put them back in. Before you go to bed and in the morning, you should thoroughly clean your aligners with a cleaning solution to prevent staining and to prevent the build-up of bacteria and plaque. If you don’t keep your aligners clean, you might end up with a cavity.
Don’t Play with Your Aligners
Invisalign aligners are not a toy. Do not play with them. It’s also important to keep them out of reach of pets and little siblings. Even when they’re in your mouth, don’t play with them.
Don’t Move Onto a New Set Early
The last piece of advice Dr. Fornalczyk can offer is not to move onto a new set of aligners early. If you switch too soon, it may cause tooth resorption or shrinkage which can result in less stable teeth which can fall out. If you want to keep your teeth in place, stick to your prescribed plan.
If you’re ready to begin your Invisalign treatment in Butler, please contact Dr. Fornalczyk for a consultation by calling our dental office at (724) 282-4436 or sending us an email with our contact form.
