We congratulate you on your decision to straighten your teeth with Invisalign. It's time to return to work and create a new routine. While this may appear difficult at first, it is possible, especially with our Vancouver dentists' advice on how to stay on track with your Invisalign treatment.
Tips for Sticking with Invisalign Treatment
Starting orthodontic treatment with Invisalign clear aligners can feel daunting at first because there are a few things to remember about your treatment plan, and you will need to adjust to wearing your aligners for 22 hours each day. That said, getting used to your new routine will just take some practice and commitment on your part. In this post, our Vancouver dentists share some tips to help make your Invisalign treatment go more smoothly so you get the most value from your investment.
Commit to wearing your Invisalign aligners full-time
Your commitment to treatment will aid in the establishment of a solid foundation for future success. Just as you'll need time to adapt and adjust to other good habits, you'll need time to adapt and adjust to the new changes in your daily routine. You'll need to wear your aligners the majority of the time to see the expected results as treatment progress (and to enjoy a straighter smile at the end of treatment). Wear each aligner for approximately two weeks. At this point, you may have grown accustomed to wearing them rather than not wearing them.
Wear your clear aligners for at least 22 hours each day, taking them out only to eat, drink, and brush your teeth as directed. You should notice the benefits of your diligent compliance with your treatment plan when you switch to new aligners and they fit comfortably on your teeth.
Clean your clear aligners while you eat
You can't wear your aligners while eating. Why not make the most of the time you don't have them in your mouth by soaking them in a cleaning solution while you eat?
Soak them in a denture cleaner, diluted mouthwash, or the special Invisalign cleaning solution (as long as none of these are coloured, as coloured solutions will stain your aligners). Do this twice a week to keep your clear aligners fresh and clean.
Set a timer
Setting a timer on your phone can help you remember to replace your aligners if you're easily distracted or forgetful. Wearing your aligners for 22 hours a day is critical, and not doing so after eating or brushing your teeth will stymie your progress toward straighter teeth.
Setting a timer can help you remember until the habit becomes ingrained, which can be difficult in the first few weeks.
Learn To Talk With Your Aligners In
When you first start your treatment and put your first aligners in your mouth, you'll probably notice that you speak with a lisp. That's all right. Your speech should return to normal once you've adjusted, but keep talking in the meantime — call a friend, talk to yourself, sing along to your favourite playlist, or practice reading aloud.