One of the worst things about traditional metal braces is the anxiety around their appearance. These days though, there are plenty of nearly invisible options! However, just because you can't see them easily, it doesn't mean you don't have to take care of your new invisible braces.
To make sure your invisible braces and clear aligners help you get the best smile possible, there are few things to keep in mind.
1. Rinse Them Often
Good news! Your clear aligners are removable. But, when you take them out, you expose them to bacteria. You definitely don't want that back in your mouth! So, instead, rinse them thoroughly before you put them back in. It's a good idea to rinse your mouth too, so as not to trap any food particles.
If you have invisible braces with clear brackets attached to your teeth, try to rinse after you drink or eat any foods that could stain them. Like red wine and coffee.
2. Deep Clean Regularly
While regular water works for a quick rinse, you'll need to give your invisible braces a deeper clean sometimes, much like brushing your teeth. Use a clear antibacterial soap or antibacterial rinse to clean your invisible aligners. You can even let them soak for a couple hours. Don't use toothpaste as this can damage them. You can use a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean them, though.
Your orthodontist will show you some techniques to clean your clear braces when you are at the clinic too.
3. Skip Your New Invisible Braces While Eating
Hate the thought of getting food caught in your braces? Not a problem with clear aligners. In fact, you should remove them before eating or drinking to avoid damaging them, especially with extremely hot foods and drinks. Of course, this makes it easier to avoid getting food trapped between your teeth and aligners. So, refer to point 1!
4. Brush Regularly
Since your new invisible braces sit on your teeth, you'll want to keep your teeth as clean as possible, so brush regularly.
If you can, brush with a soft-bristled toothbrush after eating to remove any food particles before putting your aligners back on. Brush your aligners daily as well. However, always use a soft-bristled brush and be extremely gentle. Scrubbing or using a hard-bristled brush can cause scratches, making your braces not so invisible anymore.
5. Store Them Safely
You've probably heard the horror stories of people who've lost retainers and aligners in trash cans or while traveling. This is why we recommend you always store your new invisible braces in a hard container when you take them out. Immediately put the container in your pocket, purse, bag, briefcase, etc. to keep them with you.
If you have any questions about invisible braces and how to care for them, don't hesitate to contact us or make an appointment today. We're always happy to help you take the first step towards getting the smile of your dreams.
