As your trusted orthodontist in Fountain Valley and Huntington Beach, we at Harner Orthodontics want to make sure that your orthodontic treatment is an absolute success. No matter if you’re undergoing one of our exceptional braces or Invisalign treatments, we’ll be there with you every step of the way to make sure that your orthodontics are properly cared for. As Invisalign and Invisalign Teen utilize different methods of shifting teeth (plastic aligners as opposed to brackets and wires), they also require different kinds of regular maintenance. For your benefit, we’ve provided you with some helpful tips when it comes to caring for your aligners.
Brush Your Teeth After Every Meal
Keeping your teeth clean is an essential part of caring for your Invisalign aligners. After you’re finished eating, we urge you not to put your aligners back in immediately as there will likely still be food particles lingering on your teeth. When you put your aligners back in during this time, you’ll get food lodged inside your aligners that will press against your teeth. Not brushing your teeth won’t just cause your aligners to get dirty, but it can cause dental problems, such as tooth decay, and could potentially put too much pressure on your teeth, skewing the alignment plan Dr. Harner has set for you.
Keep Your Aligners Clean
Just like how your mouth is exposed to plaque and bacteria, your aligners will be exposed to them as well. This is why it’s so important to keep your aligners just as clean as your teeth. Whenever you take the time to brush your teeth, make sure to brush your aligners as well. To do so, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and toothpaste, brushing similarly to how you’d brush your own teeth. After you’re done, make sure to give the aligners a thorough rinsing.
Don’t Expose Your Aligners to Heat
You also need to be careful that you don’t allow your aligners to get overheated. Invisalign is made out of a plastic resin that can warp if it gets too hot. When the material distorts, the aligners may not fit properly, nor will they give the correct amount of pressure to your teeth. Dr. Harner recommends to all his patients in Fountain Valley to never wash their Invisalign Aligners in hot water, drink hot drinks with Invisalign on, or leave your Invisalign aligners on a hot surface like near the stove or in a hot car.
Keep Your Aligners in the Case When They’re Not in Your Mouth
You’ll be able to take your Invisalign aligners out when you’re eating, cleaning your teeth, involved in any important occasions, or playing sports. Whenever your aligners are out of your mouth, make sure you know that they’re safe. Whenever you are not wearing your Invisalign, we suggest you keep them in the Invisalign case that we provide for you. Your Fountain Valley orthodontist has seen plenty of people who have accidentally lost or even thrown away their aligners; you don’t want this to happen to you as well! By keeping them in the case when you’re not using them, you’ll be much less likely of losing or discarding them, and they will be protected from getting any unwanted contact with anything other than your teeth.
Come Visit Your Huntington Beach and Fountain Valley Orthodontist!
If you’re interested in our Huntington Beach and Fountain Valley Invisalign Teen and Invisalign treatments, feel free to schedule an appointment with us by giving us a call at (714) 842-9933. Alternatively, you can fill out our online appointment request form. We hope to see you soon!