Olson Orthodontics offers Invisalign in Litchfield Park for patients who want to straighten their teeth without metal braces. Our family orthodontist in Verrado scans your teeth and then creates customized Invisalign trays that gradually adjust your smile.
While Invisalign trays are removable, your teeth are still susceptible to cavities and plaque build-up during treatment. Develop a hygiene routine that protects your teeth, leaving you with a dazzling smile.
1. Brush Your Teeth After Every Meal
Bacteria, sugars, and food particles attach themselves to your teeth while you eat. If you slide on your aligners without brushing your teeth, the particles get trapped, accelerating the process of tooth decay. Always brush your teeth after eating or drinking anything besides water to prepare your mouth for the trays.
2. Clean Your Trays When You Brush
Similarly, clean your trays to eliminate any particles that you might have missed. Use warm water and toothpaste or liquid soap. Before you clean, choose a soft toothbrush that won't scratch the material with hard bristles. Your family orthodontist in Verrado can recommend specific brands to use.
3. Remove Your Trays Before Eating
While it's tempting to leave on your trays when you eat, food and liquids can seep into the aligners and stay there until you take them off. Certain drinks, such as coffee, wine, and tea, stain the trays and leave lingering odors. Likewise, hard and crunchy foods can warp and damage the trays, forcing you to order a new set.
Never eat or drink anything besides plain water while you're wearing the trays. If you do consume something, remove the trays and rinse them out as soon as possible.
4. Buy Invisalign Cleaning Crystals
Invisalign sells cleaning crystals that remove plaque and odors from your trays. Periodically, you'll rinse out your trays with warm water, then immerse them in a cup of water with dissolved cleaning crystals. After about fifteen minutes, you'll remove the trays and rinse them again, resulting in clean, odor-free aligners.
You can buy cleaning crystals individually or use them with the Invisalign Ultrasonic Cleaning Station, which bathes your aligners with microscopic bubbles. This removes germs and bacteria for a fresher experience.
5. Schedule Dental Cleanings
Stay on top of dental cleanings for professional care that you can't perform at home. Your dentist will remove plaque build-up, polish your teeth, perform X-rays, check for cavities, and evaluate your gums to ensure that you're staying fresh and hygienic. If they find an issue, they'll take action before it leads to a bacterial infection or tooth decay.
Set up an appointment with Olson Orthodontics to discuss starting Invisalign in Litchfield Park, Verrado, and Buckeye. We'll decide if Invisalign is the right option for you and develop a treatment plan that fits your schedule.