According to the American Association of Orthodontists, a good smile can lead to an improved love and social life as well as professional success. At the same time, the study also asserts that over 33% of Americans are unhappy with their smile.
Fortunately, Invisalign is an effective treatment option that can remedy teeth alignment issues such as crooked teeth, protruding teeth, underbite, crossbite, and overbite among others.
A great perk of Invisalign is that it is clear and virtually invisible in your mouth. This makes it the perfect teeth alignment solution for adults as well as teenagers. As with most orthodontic treatments, you will have a perfect smile and a renewed sense of confidence in 18 to 24 months.
During this period, you will be required to wear Invisalign for 22 hours every day. Before your mouth adjusts to the new situation, you may feel some discomfort and pain. Here are some tips that orthodontists recommend to help make the adjustment period more comfortable.
1. Keep Your Tongue and Mouth Safe
In the first few days with your clear aligners, you may get some sores on the tongue or mouth. This happens because of the irritation caused by the plastic edges of the Invisalign braces. After some time, your mouth will adapt and the sores will disappear.
Before that happens, you should use dental wax to cover any rough edges or rough areas of the tray. To apply, roll the wax into shape and apply it to the problematic areas.
There may be situations in which your clear aligners will have a particularly sharp section that even covering with wax does not help. In such instances, you should book an appointment with your orthodontist to have the sharp part filed.
It is also advisable to purchase a bottle of a peroxide-based mouth wash after any orthodontic treatment. It will help heal minor irritations and relieve any gum pain.
2. Treat the Pain
In order to align your teeth, Invisalign braces work your teeth into the perfect positions. This process can result in teeth and jaw pain. By performing chewing exercises a few times a day and every time you put on your aligners, you can help relieve the pain. These exercises will also help with ensuring your teeth align properly.
3. Practice Excellent Hygiene
The good thing about Invisalign is that you can work on remedying your smile without people knowing. However, if you do not clean them properly, their clarity and invisibility will be compromised.
Ideal cleaning methods include an overnight soak in denture cleaner or using water and hydrogen peroxide. You should also avoid brushing Invisalign aligners with toothpaste as it contains abrasives that can scratch the trays.
4. Remove Your Trays as Recommended by Your Orthodontist
As your treatment progresses, the trays may become more difficult to remove as your teeth become aligned. As a result, you may be forced to find new angles for removal. If you use the wrong technique to remove your Invisalign braces, you may end up undoing the alignment progress you’ve experienced so far.
The most common mistake is trying to remove the tray one side at a time. This can cause the plastic to warp, causing the trays not to fit properly. As a result, the trays will not align the teeth as intended while also causing gum and teeth irritation.
When it becomes more difficult to remove your aligners, it is advised that you cease using fingers. This is because the design of the trays makes it difficult to pull them off using fingernails. Your finger will slip, and you may end up slicing your gum or cheek.
Half Moon Bay orthodontists recommend the use of OrthoKey. This is a small tool that simplifies the removal process and can fit inside your aligner.
Appearance plays a crucial part in how others perceive us. A good smile makes you look friendly and confident, factors that can make or break an interview or date. Are you worried about going to work with braces? No need for that. Invisalign is clear and unnoticeable. Book an appointment with your Half Moon Bay orthodontist to begin the journey to the perfect smile.