Invisalign is an excellent treatment for adults and older teenagers looking for a discreet way to straighten their teeth. Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign is an invisible treatment that not only straightens your teeth but also fixes jaw misalignments like overbites and underbites. Taking care of your smile afterward is a necessary process.
The treatment often takes a year, depending on your case, during which you’ll have to wear the invisible aligners all the time. After this, you’ll enjoy a perfectly straight smile which you must take care of to enjoy your results for years to come. For this reason, it’s crucial to know the proper way to take care of your new smile after Invisalign treatment. Here’s everything you should know.
Take Care of Your Retainer
Once your treatment period is up, your Invisalign dentist in Downey will give you a set of retainers. These are meant to keep your teeth in place and prevent shifting after the treatment.
You must wear your retainers as your dentist instructs. Otherwise, nothing is preventing your teeth from moving back to their original position or worse. In fact, this is one of the primary reasons most people seek Invisalign treatment.
Most Invisalign patients are individuals who had previously undergone orthodontic treatment and failed to wear their retainers as instructed, resulting in misaligned teeth and needing Invisalign to fix it. Don’t make this mistake.
Apart from wearing your retainers as instructed, it’s also crucial to take proper care of them. Some of the things you should do include:
- Replace your retainer once a year:Retainers are meant to prevent your teeth from shifting and protect you from nighttime teeth grinding. Unfortunately, they’re prone to wear and tear over time. Hence, it’s crucial to replace them every year.
- Clean your retainer every night:Use a retainer cleaner to get rid of debris and food particles every night. Avoid using toothpaste as it may discolor the retainer or damage the material.
- Avoid eating with your retainer in: Since you’re supposed to wear your retainer for the better part of the day after your Invisalign treatment, it may be tempting to eat with the retainer. Avoid doing this, as it may damage your retainers.
- Avoid using heat on your retainer:Your retainer only works if it fits properly. So avoid using heat on it or placing it in hot environments like a hot vehicle. Doing so may cause it to melt or warp, thereby making it ineffective in keeping your teeth in place.
- Carefully put on and take off your retainer: It’s best to use both hands when putting your retainer in and taking it off. Ensure there are no spaces between the teeth when applying the retainer, and ensure you always loosen it from different spots before taking it off to avoid damaging it.
Brush and Floss Regularly
It’s also crucial to maintain proper dental hygiene after your Invisalign treatment. However, you may notice that your teeth and gums are sensitive when you stop Invisalign treatment. This is normal, as your gums have been in contact with the aligner trays for some time.
The discomfort should go away after two to three weeks. During this time, use a soft-bristled brush and gentle strokes while brushing and flossing your teeth. Make it a habit to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss at least once per day.
Get Regular Checkups
Unfortunately, the last day of your Invisalign treatment isn’t the last day you’ll see your Downey Dentist. It’s crucial to go in for regular checkups as recommended by your dentist. The dentist will check to ensure your teeth are staying put after the Invisalign treatment during these visits.
The dentist may also adjust or replace your retainers during these visits if there’s any significant wear or tear. It’s also advisable to get regular dental cleanings at these appointments to keep your teeth in tip-top condition.
Therefore, find out how often you should see your dentist Downey after completing your treatment and keep up with the appointments.
Over to You
Completing your Invisalign Downey treatment is a day of celebration, but it doesn’t end when your aligners are removed. You still need to maintain your new smile. So, follow the tips we’ve shared in this article to keep it in tip-top condition for years to come.
If you have any questions about Invisalign care practices after treatment, reach out to one of our dentists, and they’ll answer all your questions!