We congratulate you on your decision to use Invisalign to straighten your teeth. It's time to get back to work and establish a new schedule. While this may appear difficult at first, it is possible, especially with the help of our Burnaby dentists' advice on how to keep your Invisalign treatment on track.
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 Burnaby 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 dedication to treatment will help you lay a strong foundation for future success. You'll need time to adapt and adjust to the new changes in your daily routine, just as you'll need time to adapt and adjust to other good habits. To see the expected results as treatment progresses, you'll need to wear your aligners the majority of the time (and to enjoy a straighter smile at the end of treatment). Each aligner should be worn for two weeks. You may have grown accustomed to wearing them rather than not wearing them at this point.
Wear your clear aligners for at least 22 hours per day, only removing them to eat, drink, and brush your teeth as directed. When you switch to new aligners and they fit comfortably on your teeth, you should notice the benefits of your diligent compliance with your treatment plan.
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?
Using a denture cleaner, diluted mouthwash, or the special Invisalign cleaning solution, soak them for a few minutes (as long as none of these are coloured, as coloured solutions will stain your aligners). To keep your clear aligners fresh and clean, do this twice a week.
Set a timer
If you're easily distracted or forgetful, setting a timer on your phone can help you remember to replace your aligners. It's critical to wear your aligners for 22 hours per day, and failing to do 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
You'll probably notice that you speak with a lisp when you first start your treatment and put your first aligners in your mouth. That's perfectly fine. Once you've adjusted, your speech should return to normal, but in the meantime, keep talking — call a friend, talk to yourself, sing along to your favourite playlist, or practice reading aloud.