Invisalign is a clear braces option that works by gently nudging your teeth into the proper position by putting continual pressure on them over the course of several months. The Invisalign trays are removable, and it can be tempting to take them out more than recommended – but in order for the treatment to work, you really need to wear them 22 hours each day. Fortunately, we have tips for meeting the Invisalign wear time! Your Orange Park dentist explains more below.
Tips for Getting Your 22 Hours In
The 22 hour recommended wear time only gives you 2 hours to go without Invisalign each day. You can achieve that by keeping the following in mind:
- You’ll need to remove the aligners to eat, for sure – so planning the length of your meals can help. Take 15 minutes at breakfast, 30 minutes at lunch, and 60 minutes at dinner. Doing this will give you plenty of time for a quick snack and to brush and floss your teeth at night and in the morning.
- Download and use the Tray Minder app, which helps you make sure you are meeting the recommended wear time throughout the day.
- You can soak your trays in a glass of water with the cleaning crystals while you eat dinner – this multitasking will save you cleaning time.
- Make sure you brush, floss, and rinse your mouth with mouthwash immediately after your meals and before you re-insert your trays.
- You can prevent soreness – and the urge to remove the aligners – by switching to a new tray before you go to bed at night.
How to Avoid Other Treatment Delays
The best way to ensure that you breeze through your treatment to enjoy your straight teeth and beautiful smile as soon as possible is to wear the aligners for 22 hours daily. But another common cause for treatment delays is lost or damaged trays. You can protect yourself against this mistake by ensuring that you put your trays in their protective case anytime that they are not in your mouth or soaking with the cleaning crystals.
Now that you know a little bit about how to protect yourself from delaying your beautiful results with Invisalign, you can feel confident marching through your treatment plan. But don’t hesitate to reach out to your dentist with any further questions and Invisalign tips in Orange Park! They’re here to help you get the results you’ve been dreaming of.
Meet the Dentists
Dr. Steven Crovatto and Dr. Megan Edwards work together to provide superb care for patients of Crovatto & Edwards Family Dentistry. They have decades of experience combined and are passionate about transforming smiles with a host of preventive, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry treatments – including Invisalign. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, reach out to their practice via their website or by calling (904) 272-0800.