6 Things to Know Before Invisalign
6 Things to Know Before Invisalign
What are the things you need to know before an Invisalign treatment?
- The Invisalign treatment is a commitment
- The orthodontist will recommend attachments
- You might need to practice chewing exercises
- You can use the treatment to cut your coffee intake
- The lisp takes some time to get used to
- You will become an oral hygiene enthusiast
If you’re researching solutions for misaligned teeth, you probably already know the benefits of an Invisalign treatment. Instead of braces, you will wear clear aligners so if you’re conscious about your appearance, you can consider this option. Aside from that, you can also eat comfortably because the trays are removable! If you’re thinking of scheduling an appointment, here are some things to know before Invisalign. Keep on reading!
The Invisalign Treatment Is a Commitment
Invisalign aligners provide much more freedom for the wearer. Because they’re removable, you can eat your favorite meals and play sports like you’re used to. But that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t require a commitment on your part.
To ensure that you get the best results from your Invisalign treatment, you need to wear aligners for 22 hours per day. Aside from that, you need to brush your teeth after eating and clean the trays every night to prevent bacteria from proliferating. But because you can see your improvement, it will motivate you to keep going.
The Orthodontist Will Require Attachments
Other than the custom trays, your orthodontist will also require additional attachments as a part of your treatment plan because they provide more controlled teeth movement. They will need to put tooth-colored buttons on your teeth in one of your dental appointments. These provide a more controlled movement for your teeth and anchorage if your doctor introduces elastic bands in your treatment
You Might Need to Practice Chewing Exercises
During the first few weeks of your treatment, your trays might not fit perfectly on your teeth. You need to wait it out as the alignment of your teeth adjusts with time. But if you need help adjusting to your new Invisalign aligners, you can practice some chewing exercises.
You can ask your orthodontist if you’re allowed to use Invisalign chewies. These are small devices that you can chew on to improve the fit of your aligners and get rid of any air bubbles. But most of the time, patients might not need them at all!
You Can Use the Treatment to Cut Your Coffee Intake
Are you addicted to caffeine but prone to anxiety or can’t sleep comfortably at night? Perhaps, an Invisalign treatment can help you cut your coffee intake! When you’re wearing your aligners, you can only drink clear liquids. Anything that has staining properties such as wine, tea, or coffee can discolor the trays and make them look dirty. Aside from that, hot drinks can also cause the aligners to warp.
If you want to drink coffee, you need to remove your aligners first. After that, you need to brush your teeth before wearing the tray again.
The Lisp Takes Some Time to Get Used To
When you first use your aligners, you might notice a slight lisp when you’re speaking. While this change might be surprising, the good news is it will subside as you get used to wearing the trays. In the majority of patients, the lisp is unnoticeable to other people!
A lisp develops because your mouth and tongue are adjusting to the way you speak with the aligners on. For most patients, this goes away within a few weeks. If you’re scheduled to speak at an important event or need to make a special call, you can remove the aligners. Just make sure that you wear them for 20 to 22 hours a day.
You Will Become an Oral Hygiene Enthusiast
Before an Invisalign treatment, you might be used to brushing your teeth two to three times a day. But when you’re wearing your aligners, you will develop a more consistent oral hygiene habit. If you’re going out, one of the necessities you need to bring is a small tooth brushing kit!
Every time you remove your aligners so you can eat or drink, you need to brush your teeth properly before you can put them back on. You won’t want any food residue to remain in your teeth as this can cause bad breath! Aside from that, frequent teeth cleaning can help prevent the trays from getting discolored.
Key Takeaway
An Invisalign treatment might require commitment, patience, and perseverance, but the results will be worth it! That’s why if you dream of having straighter teeth and a more beautiful smile, this is one of the best options for you.
If you still have some things you need to know before Invisalign, just send a message here at Casipit Dental Group! You can also schedule an appointment so our dentists can help address your worries and questions with answers and solutions that are specific to your needs.