One of the many benefits of straightening your teeth with Invisalign is that the trays are completely removable. Whenever you get the craving for something crunchy like popcorn or something chewy like caramel, you can simply pop your Invisalign off and dig in!
However, the removability feature serves another purpose: efficient oral hygiene. Keep reading to learn the right way to brush and floss with Invisalign.
Remove Your Aligners
First thing’s first – you’ll have to remove your Invisalign trays! You should brush and floss after every meal, so hopefully, you’ll already have taken them out for eating. Remember that chewing while your aligners are still in your mouth could cause the plastic to warp. Generally, the only substance you should be consuming when wearing Invisalign is crystal clear water.
Brush Your Teeth
Once your aligners are removed, you can brush your teeth like you normally would. Ideally, this means using a soft bristled toothbrush, fluoride toothpaste, and applying gentle pressure. For the best results, hold your brush at a 45-degree angle, and move in circular motions. This helps get at the bacteria and plaque that are sheltered in hard-to-reach places.
Rinse Your Mouth
Don’t move on to flossing so quickly! Experts say that the next best step is actually a good warm water rinse. Swishing it around your mouth dislodges loose food particles and helps break them down, which will make flossing easier.
Interestingly, if you’re going to rinse as part of your oral hygiene routine, it’s better to do so after brushing, not before. Otherwise, you could end up pressing excess debris and bacteria against your teeth as you clean!
Floss Between Your Pearly Whites
Now it’s time to floss. These days, though, there are a range of tools you could use. If classic waxed or unwaxed thread is your go-to cleaner, be sure to angle the floss to the right and left as you work it up and down. That way, you’ll get the sides of your teeth as well. For floss threaders, a similar method will do.
Water flossers are great for those with dental sensitivities and tend to be more effective than thread. Since it sprays a gentle stream of water to force bacteria and plaque from between your teeth, it’s best to start towards the back of your mouth, then slowly move towards the front.
Repeat!
The key to oral hygiene is to make it a routine habit. Skipping sessions can lead to bacteria build up, which is often the cause of tooth decay and gum disease. Unfortunately, that fact doesn’t change simply because you’re wearing Invisalign. To keep your teeth healthy, spend at least two minutes on each cleaning. When you finish your clear aligner treatment, you’ll be glad you did!
About the Author
Dr. Adriana Zaharie (or “Dr. Z”) earned her Doctorate in Dental Medicine from the Advanced Standing Program at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine. Technically, though, this was her second doctorate – Dr. Z earned her first from the University of Antioquia. She has over 20 years of experience in the field of dentistry and has spent much of that time focusing on clear aligner treatments like Invisalign. If you have questions about caring for your teeth with Invisalign, she’ll be happy to give you some pointers! To contact her office, call 281-394-4001.