Things you should not do during aligners treatment Here are 5 tips to care for aligners

If you have started orthodontic treatment, congratulations!

You are on your way to the beautiful and attractive smile you have always dreamed of. However, for your aligner treatment to be successful, you need to properly care for your aligners throughout your treatment.

There is a connection between oral health and general health, so you need to maintain good oral hygiene, especially when wearing your aligners. Your teeth deserve to stay clean at all times to prevent cavities and gum disease.
Proper oral hygiene is essential for healthy teeth and gums. This includes regular oral hygiene. Let’s not forget the professional hygiene at the dental office, which includes dental descaling, air flow and professional brushing and which must be performed twice a year.

Not only the aesthetic aspect is the main reason why patients choose to straighten their teeth with aligners, but also the fact that there is no dietary restriction, oral hygiene remains the same, without radical changes.

The kit for oral hygiene must include:

✔ Toothpaste

Use the toothpaste that suits your individual needs, for example for tooth sensitivity or bleeding gums.

✔ Toothbrush

When you start orthodontic treatment, it is necessary to switch from the classic brush to one with soft bristles to gently clean the teeth and aligners.

✔ Dental floss

Necessary for removing bacterial plaque and cleaning the interdental spaces, after every meal.

✔ Oral irrigator

A suitable alternative to dental floss is the oral irrigator. It cleans effectively and penetrates hard-to-reach places.

Doctor’s advice on correct wear of aligners

So, caring for aligners is much easier compared to caring for brackets. It does not involve dietary restrictions or radical changes in oral hygiene.

It is important to strictly follow the rules of attachment and removal that the orthodontist indicates – this will help to avoid problems and maintain the appearance of the aligners.

Wear aligners at least 22 hours a day

The 22-hour rule says that to get the desired result, you need to wear aligners 22 hours a day. Aligners change the position of the teeth through micro-movements. Each pair of aligners is changed once every 7-10 days.

Aligners are only effective when they are in physical contact with the teeth. This is why the orthodontist recommends that aligners are worn 22 hours a day. Aligners are designed with the assumption that patients will follow this rule. Failure to follow this rule can lead to complications, discomfort or even delays in treatment.

Before eating or drinking, remove the aligners

In order for the orthodontic treatment to proceed as planned, it is important that the aligners maintain their shape, structure and the force with which they act on the teeth. Therefore, it is forbidden to eat and drink while wearing aligners.

You will need to remove the aligners and put them in the pouch during meals, even when drinking tea or coffee. So it's important to be careful when you eat/drink and how long it lasts.

*It is allowed to drink plain water (at room temperature), with aligners fixed on the teeth.

Before eating or brushing your teeth, store the aligners in the case

Every time you remove the aligners from your teeth, keep them in the case because they are invisible and you can accidentally throw them in the trash. If you leave them outdoors, you risk exposing them to bacteria. That's why you need to have the aligner case handy, no matter where you are.

After every meal, brush both teeth and aligners

Regular brushing and flossing are important to keep your teeth clean. Make sure the teeth are well brushed before attaching the aligners to the teeth. Also, with a soft toothbrush and toothpaste, you need to clean the aligners well. During cleaning, it is recommended to avoid hot water due to the possibility of deforming the aligners.

Do not smoke while wearing aligners

Smoke discolors, yellows and stains aligners. Another reason is tooth decay. Nicotine from cigarette smoke can get trapped between aligners and teeth, building up plaque.

Wearing aligners less than 22 hours a day can slow down progress. If aligners are removed too often to smoke, treatment may not go as planned.

To maintain the best oral hygiene and avoid unwanted complications, follow these aligner care tips. By following them, you can be sure that your teeth and gums will remain healthy throughout your orthodontic treatment.

Aligners are a great alternative to other teeth alignment methods. They are comfortable, discreet (practically invisible) and aesthetic. Dental treatment with aligners is safe for the body, does not cause psychological discomfort or complications. The Dentus Dentino Dental Center has its own Dental Laboratory and produces OLA aligners, suitable for both adults and children (OLA Kids).

Invest in the health of your teeth today! Contact us at +373 67 106 070 to learn more about how we can help you achieve a perfectly aligned smile. You can also schedule a consultation through our online scheduling system.

The path to a beautiful smile begins with a consultation at Dentus•Dentino!

ADents May 23, 2023

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Things you should not do during aligners treatment
Here are 5 tips to care for aligners