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Oral Hygiene with InvisalignInvisalign braces are an increasingly popular option for addressing teeth misalignments. They can fix dental issues like overbites and underbites. The aligners are also inconspicuous and convenient for people of all ages. You can take off your Invisalign aligners when eating food. It does not require a significant modification to your oral hygiene routine. Our dental team at Chicago Dental Esthetics will instruct you on how to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Why is Dental Hygiene Important for Invisalign?Invisalign does not require lifestyle modification and dietary changes associated with traditional braces. However, it is crucial to keep your gums and teeth healthy to avoid complications during recovery. The plastic aligners could be susceptible to bacterial accumulation. Plaque and tartar can build up your teeth. The enclosed plastic material creates an ideal environment for microbes. It is warm and humid, which allows cavity-causing bacteria to thrive. Dental issues can develop if you skip the dental hygiene routine. As the bacteria accumulate, your gums may succumb to inflammation. The acid the bacteria release can damage the tooth’s enamel. You, therefore, need to keep your aligner clean to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Dental Hygiene with Invisalign AlignersDental hygiene with Invisalign aligners is similar to your regular dental hygiene routine. You should floss and brush your teeth every day to remove plaque and tartar. Brush for at least two minutes, twice a day, to ensure your teeth are thoroughly clean. Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against your gum line. Brush your tongue to remove the remaining food debris and bacteria in your mouth. You should remove the plastic aligners when taking food and beverages, except when drinking water. Eating with the aligners complicates the dental hygiene process as food gets stuck in the thermoplastic device. Since you have to remove the aligners when eating, it is wise to carry a toothbrush when you are out and about. That will ensure you clean the Invisalign aligners before putting them back on. If you have to wait to get back home, you may not meet the 20-hour per day minimum wear requirement. It is also advisable to avoid foods and beverages that may stain the clear thermoplastic material. Coffee, tea, soy sauce, and citrus fruits can cause discoloration. How to Clean Invisalign AlignersWash your hands with soap and water before handling the Invisalign trays. Your hands can transfer cavity-causing bacteria to your teeth and gums. You can use a soft toothbrush and toothpaste to clean the clear aligners. However, it is better to use the Invisalign kit to avoid damaging the trays. Toothpaste can deteriorate the thermoplastic material. Our dentist will provide the kit after fitting the Invisalign trays. You will receive tips on how to keep your Invisalign trays clean during the treatment process. Our dental team will demonstrate the best techniques to eliminate the chances of plaque and tartar buildup. You can take the opportunity to ask questions regarding your dental health and treatment options. If you have crooked teeth, contact us at (224) 341-5162 to schedule an appointment with our orthodontics team. At Chicago Dental Esthetics we want to give you a beautiful and straight smile. |
 Hours Mon Tues Weds Thur Fri 9am-5pm 10am-6pm 9am-5pm 10am-6pm Closed Our practice is open the first Saturday of each month from 8am-3pm |
