Currently, more than 10 million patients have transformed their smiles with Invisalign. As a result, it’s one of the most sought-after orthodontic treatments. In addition to offering virtually undetectable aligners and shorter treatment timelines (on average), this innovative teeth-straightening solution also offers removable trays that make brushing and flossing a breeze. With that being said, there are a few dos and don’ts you should know about the latter. To learn all about flossing with Invisalign, read on!
DO Rinse Your Mouth with Water First
Often, patients jump straight into their oral hygiene routine. While that’s certainly doable, you should consider rinsing your mouth out with clean water first. This will help remove any loose food particles, allowing the floss to focus solely on cleaning along your gumline and between your teeth.
DON’T Make It Difficult
Do you often have difficulty convincing yourself to floss because the entire process is just too cumbersome? Then make it simpler! There are lots of new tools that make this essential oral hygiene step easier, like pre-threaded floss and water flossers.
DO Floss Before Putting Your Aligners Back In
In short, your Invisalign aligners don’t protect your teeth from cavities. In fact, you may be more prone to tooth decay if you don’t clean your teeth thoroughly before putting your aligners back in. Whether you like to brush first or prefer to start your dental care routine with floss, just make sure to do it each and every time!
DON’T Be Too Aggressive
From running late to school to rushing to get to bed, there are plenty of reasons you may feel tempted to get through your flossing routine as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, aggressively flossing in an attempt to save time can damage your gums and irritate the soft tissue in your mouth. So, carefully guide the floss between each tooth and along your gumline instead.
DO Keep Floss in a To-Go Kit
Having a to-go dental kit will make your life much simpler during your Invisalign treatment. After all, it’ll ensure you can keep your teeth clean on the go, whether you’re at lunch with some colleagues or at dinner with friends. With a little pack of floss, a travel-sized toothbrush, and toothpaste, you’ll be able to clean your teeth no matter where you are!
DON’T Get Lazy
At the beginning of your treatment, you’ll likely have all of the motivation you need to implement all of your orthodontist’s instructions. Keep it up! As the months go on, don’t develop unhealthy dental habits, like neglecting to floss and not meeting your 22-hour-a-day wear time. It may be convenient in the moment, but it can cause you to wind up spending more time and money on treatment.
Since Invisalign doesn’t use silver brackets and wires to straighten teeth, flossing is exponentially easier. Just make sure to keep the above dos and don’ts in mind to keep your smile happy and healthy throughout your treatment!
About the Practice
At Simply Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, you can leave everything from minor spacing issues to severely crowded teeth in the past with Invisalign! In addition to offering this clear, removable, and comfortable treatment, we also can provide a 100% lifetime guarantee thanks to our affordable retainers program. So, you can trust that your investment will be well worth it. If you have a question about life with Invisalign or would like to schedule an appointment, don’t hesitate to visit our website or call (603) 880-5002.