South Houston Invisalign Do's And Don't's

At Centra Dental in Houston and South Houston, we offer various types of dental braces at an affordable price, including Invisalign. Though sometimes mistaken as a less-effective way to straighten your teeth, Invisalign Clear Aligners are actually very successful at correcting the alignment of your bite, so long as you follow our recommendations for the best way to take care of your teeth while undergoing Invisalign treatment. In this article, our South Houston family dentist will discuss a couple do’s and don’t’s that will impact how well Invisalign works for you.

What To Do When Wearing Invisalign Clear Aligners From Our South Houston Braces Dentist

Here are things you should do if you are a South Houston Invisalign patient:

Wear Your Invisalign For At Least 20 Hours A Day

Compared to our other Houston braces, Invisalign is a more delicate and subtle method of shifting the teeth, which means it can take a little longer in some cases. We recommend wearing your Clear Aligners for 20-22 hours a day to provide as much time for your aligner trays to do their job. 

Keep Track Of Your Invisalign Clear Aligners

Because Invisalign isn’t glued to your teeth like ceramic Houston braces and metal dental braces, some patients run the risk of losing their aligners. If you lose them, you won’t wear them for as long as you need to in order to straighten your teeth. When you begin Invisalign treatment, be sure to store your Clear Aligners in your Invisalign case each time you remove them for meals and when you brush your teeth. Not only does this prevent you from losing them, but this also keeps them safe from damage and prevents excessive dirtiness. 

What Not To Do As A South Houston Invisalign Patient

Avoid the following when undergoing Houston Invisalign:

Skip Cleaning Your Invisalign Clear Aligners

Just because you don’t have to wear your aligners 24/7 does not mean you should forgo good dental braces hygiene. When you finish eating and put your aligners back on, they will collect the plaque and bacteria in your mouth. It’s imperative that you clean them by gently brushing them with a soft-bristled toothbrush in the morning and before bed. This will keep your aligners from getting smelly and will protect your mouth from cavities. 

Switch To Your Next Set Of Aligners If You Lose Your Current Pair

Sometimes mistakes happen and our Houston Invisalign patients lose a set of aligners. Do not jump to the next set if you’ve lost your current set because the aligners won’t fit properly, which means they won’t move your teeth the way they are supposed to. Instead, call our Houston braces dentists so we can determine the best course of action.

Think You Need Houston Braces? Visit Our South Houston Dentist 

If you think it might be time to get dental braces, please book an appointment for a Houston braces consultation so we can determine if Invisalign is right for you and proceed with a treatment plan. We will provide you with further education on how to get the most out of your Invisalign Clear Aligners.