The Dos and Don’ts of Invisalign

Something that sets Invisalign apart from other orthodontic treatments is the aligners’ removability. Patients can take their trays out at any time, allowing them not only to clean them more easily, but to avoid many of the dietary restrictions that are often associated with orthodontia.

This allows you take charge of your treatment in a way that you often can’t with braces. And while this allows you a lot of freedom, it also means that you may not get the most out of your treatment if you make the wrong choices regarding your treatment.

With that in mind, here are some important do’s and don’ts regarding your Invisalign treatment.

Do: Wear Your Alinger 20-22 Hours a Day

While Invisalign aligners are removable, they also don’t do you any good if you aren’t wearing them. That being the case, there are guidelines for how long you ought to wear your Invisalign if you’re interested in getting the most out of the treatment. In general this guideline is around 20-22 hours a day, leaving you just enough time to eat and to clean your aligners before putting them back in.

Don’t: Eat With Your Aligners In

While it can be tempting to leave your aligners in while eating in order to better meet your quota, the risk is hardly worth the rewards. It’s possible to damage your aligners while eating, even more so than in the case of normal braces.

Do: Clean Your Aligners Before Putting Them Back On

After eating, you’re likely to have small amounts of food residue on your teeth, even if it isn’t apparent to you. If you put your aligners back on without cleaning your teeth these foodstuffs will become trapped, feeding bacteria both in your mouth and on your aligner. You therefore need to carefully clean your trays, as well as your teeth, before putting back on your trays.

Don’t: Take Your Trays Out Overnight

While some oral appliances require you to take them out before bed, this is not the case for your Invisalign. In order to meet the recommended 20-22 hours wearing time, you’ll need to keep them on as much as possible, including while you sleep.

About Our Practice

Many dental practices treat their patients like just a name and a number, but at Fairfax Dental Group we are proud of doing things differently. We understand that our patients are real human beings, with human needs, and that informs the core philosophy of our practice. We take a unique approach to every treatment, one perfectly suited to you and that will ensure that you get the premium oral healthcare experience.

If you have any questions about Invisalign, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (703) 560-6301.