Tips on How to Care For Your Invisalign Aligners
Now that you have your Invisalign aligners it's important to take good care of them. Read this article for tips that will help you care of your aligners.
Smiling is contagious, which is one of the reasons why finally getting your Invisalign aligners is such good news. Perfecting your smile is always a good idea. It makes you feel better, it can relieve stress, and it looks good on you.
Invisalign offers so many benefits, the biggest being that your teeth can finally be straightened without the complications of braces. Now that you have Invisalign, do you know how to take care of your aligners?
If not, don't stress! We, the professionals at Broadway Cosmetic Dentistry, are here to help guide you after starting the process of straightening your teeth.
We are a dentist in Tarrytown, NY, and proudly help the residents here maintain their oral health and improve their smiles. We believe that nothing beats a beaming smile, so we're passionate about helping yours shine!
So before you look up "dentist Tarrytown, NY," look no further than our professional and friendly staff to answer all your questions and help you out.
Read on to find out the best way to take care of your Invisalign aligners and get the most out of them.
1. Keep Them Clean
This can sound like the most obvious tip, but it can also be the easiest to overlook! Cleaning your aligners is the best way to make sure they stay intact and work their magic on your teeth for as long as needed.
The best way to remember to clean them is to make cleaning a regular part of your routine. Set aside an extra few minutes every morning and night to make sure you have time to clean!
This can be as simple as adding it to your regular teeth brushing routine since you do that every morning and night.
Luckily, cleaning is pretty simple! You can use a soft brush (you might want to buy a separate toothbrush for this) and toothpaste to gently scrub both of your aligners.
Think about how well you try to brush your teeth. When you eat and drink different things all day, it's obvious you need to take extra mouth care when it comes to brushing your teeth. The same rule goes for your Invisalign aligners! Don't skimp on cleaning.
If you regularly wear dirty aligners, chances are that the germs and bacteria that collect on them can be transferred to your mouth.
To keep health risks from arising, get in the habit of always cleaning your aligners.
2. Don't Eat With Them
One of the best things about your aligners is that, unlike braces, you have the option to take them off. That means that you can, and should, take them off when it's time to eat!
With braces, food gets caught so easily between the wires, and there is the constant fear of smiling while unknowingly showing off your lunch.
With Invisalign, that never has to be a problem. You should always take your aligners off when you eat or drink. The only thing it is safe to consume while you're wearing your aligners is water.
Taking them off when you eat or drink will prevent you from accidentally damaging or staining them. Over time, certain things we consume can stain our teeth, and you don't want to subject your aligners to this same kind of damage.
3. Keep Yourself Clean Also
It will be a new part of your routine to keep your aligners clean, but you shouldn't skimp on your oral health either!
Making sure to floss and brush before you wear your aligners and after you take them off is essential for continued good oral hygiene.
Imagine you go throughout your day eating and drinking as normal. At the end of the day, you take off your aligners and don't floss. The next morning you also don't floss and simply pop your aligners back in.
Without flossing, whatever food debris that was in your mouth from the previous day will become trapped in your gums and between your teeth for a long time. There isn't even a chance they will become unstuck while your aligners are in.
Forgetting to floss regularly can lead to larger oral health issues, like cavities or gingivitis. If you want to prevent these from messing up your newly-straightened smile, floss!
4. Soak Them
As with all oral hygiene, it's important to keep your aligners as clean as possible and clean them regularly. This includes soaking them, along with regular cleaning and brushing.
Soaking your aligners will keep them odor-free and ensure they do their job by remaining invisible while in your mouth. If you wear dirty aligners, everyone will know immediately! The best way to keep them staying clear and hygienic is to have a soaking routine.
Make sure to soak aligners every day! The time of day is your call, based on what's easiest for your schedule.
Fill a small cup with lukewarm water and drop Invisalign cleaning crystals into it. Next, drop your aligners in and let them soak for about 15 minutes.
You may want to brush them with a toothbrush again once they are done soaking for extra care.
5. Keep Them in Their Case
This may seem like another obvious tip, but it can be easy to forget the importance of storing something in its right place.
Your Invisalign aligners should always be stored in their case unless you are soaking or cleaning them. Keep the case handy in your purse, backpack, or bag to make sure you're always prepared to store them for safekeeping.
Keeping them in their proper case protects them from breaking, being damaged, accidentally getting dirty, or being mistaken for trash.
Get Your Invisalign Aligners Today
Now that you know all about how to take care of Invisalign aligners, you know how simple it is to work towards the smile you have always wanted.
Whether it's straight teeth, whitened teeth, or anything in between, we have you covered at Broadway Cosmetic Dentist. For the best dental work and dentist in Tarrytown, NY, check out our services page!
Dr. Rohit Z Patel
D.D.S
After graduating at the top of his class, Dr. Patel continued his postgraduate studies in endodontics at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine in New York. He was appointed to assistant clinical professor of dentistry at Columbia University and later moved on to teach at the Montefiore Medical Center’s Department of Dentistry. Westchester Magazine recognized Dr. Patel as a “Top Dentist for 2012.”
Dr. Yung Kim
D.D.S
Dr. Yung Kim is a double board certified Periodontist and board certified Prosthodontist, educated to treat many extremely complex disorders involving gum disease, tooth decay, and oral pathology. His focus is on full-mouth, complex, surgical, and reconstructive dentistry. He has extensive knowledge of implant dentistry and advanced surgical procedures, specializing in teeth in a day and All-on-Four implants. He is also Invisalign certified and experienced with CAD/CAM restorations and dentures.
Dr. Brendan Gallagher
D.D.S
Dr. Brendan Gallagher is dedicated to providing safe, compassionate, and reliable surgical care while keeping communication clear and timely with referring offices. He values building strong partnerships with colleagues to ensure the very best care for patients. Outside of practice, Dr. Gallagher enjoys mentoring upcoming dentists through social media and podcasting. He also enjoys running, trying new craft beers and spending time with friends and family. You can find Dr. Gallagher at our Brewster, Tarrytown and Mount Vernon locations.
Dr. Santvana Vyas
D.D.S
Dr Vyas attended NYU College of Dentistry and earned DDS in 2016 at the top of her class. She was inducted into Omicron Kappa Upsilon (OKU), the national dental honor society and earned Outstanding Achievement Award in study of Prosthodontics.
Dr Vyas is an active member of American College of Prosthodontics (ACP) and American Dental Association (ADA). She is appointed as a Clinical Assistant Professor at NYU College of Dentistry. She is married and is blessed with two sons.
Dr. Gianna DeMase
D.D.S
Dr. DeMase received her undergraduate degree from Binghamton University where she double-majored in Biology and Spanish. She then earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery from New York University College of Dentistry where she graduated with honors in periodontics. After dental school, Dr. DeMase completed a General Practice Residency at Jacobi Medical Center, a level one trauma hospital. Here, she participated in community outreach in the women’s health clinic and taught medical students how to do oral exams. She also worked with special needs patients in Jacobi’s Rose F. Kennedy Center. Dr. DeMase remains committed to being active in the community.
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Dr. DeMase has experience in cavity restoration, endodontics, oral surgery, oral pathology, and prosthodontics including implant restorations.
She highly values patient education and always ensures your comfort and understanding of the treatment. She strongly believes in patient centered care and therefore tailors each treatment plan to you and your needs. As a member of the American Dental Association, Dr. DeMase is always aware of the latest studies and developments in the dental field and strives to apply them to her practice. In her spare time, she can usually be found with a book in her hands.
