Many patients report Invisalign to be a much more convenient and comfortable way to address dental misalignments than traditional braces, but this modern orthodontic method still requires a significant amount of discipline on the part of the patient. While the sweet treats distributed around Halloween can lead to treatment-delaying complications, there are a few simple measures you can take to mitigate these risks. Here’s a quick look at how you can keep on top of your Invisalign treatment during the spooky season.
Practice Excellent Oral Hygiene
Food debris and sugary residues trapped between the teeth and the aligners will be sheltered from the mouth’s natural cleaning process, which will allow harmful oral bacteria to multiply rapidly and lead to nasty infections and unsightly stains. To prevent these problems and the treatment delays they can cause, you’ll need to remove your aligners before eating or drinking anything but water and carefully brush and floss before putting your aligners back in. It’s also important to rinse your aligners each time before wearing them.
Make Sure You Wear Your Aligners Enough
Invisalign aligners are designed to exert the consistent pressure needed to shift the teeth into healthier positions, and they must be worn for at least twenty hours each day to ensure the realignment process progresses as intended. However, the pressure of chewing can break the aligners and ruin their ability to move the teeth properly. This may make it necessary to replace one of these appliances, which can delay the treatment process.
To prevent this, it’s best to limit how many times a day you enjoy candy and other snacks so you can minimize how much time you spend without wearing your aligners. Since it’s ideal to wait at least thirty minutes after eating before brushing, enjoying candy only during meals can be a great way to maximize the amount of time you spend wearing your aligners each day.
Don’t let Halloween festivities lead to nasty oral infections and other complications that can delay your Invisalign treatment. Consulting with your dentist can help you understand how to keep your realignment process on schedule.
About the Practice
Metro Park Dental Arts offers the finest oral healthcare in Rogers. Led by Drs. Jeffrey Erickson, Robert Mercer, Dylan Reed, and Jason Thibodeaux, the staff treats each patient with courtesy, respect, and exemplary customer service. Areas of expertise include general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as Invisalign. To learn more about how you can keep your orthodontic treatment on schedule, contact the office on the web or dial (479) 845-1191.