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May 5, 2023When you decide to commit to , it’s a good idea to find out as much as you can about your desired form of orthodontic treatment. Are there dietary rules? What about wear time? Our Cadillac, MI, Invisalign® dentists can answer all of these questions and more so you feel prepared to take on a new stage in your life.
Before you move forward with Invisalign clear aligners, keep these 4 things in mind.
Wearing Invisalign Aligners Translates To:
1) Having Them in Place For as Long as Instructed
With regular braces, there is no taking those off unless you’ve completed your treatment. They are securely attached to your teeth and only an orthodontist can remove them.
Clear aligners are different. For one, they’re removable! When you need to eat, brush your teeth, or floss, you simply take them out and place them in their protective case. Unfortunately, the ability to easily remove them has its downside.
If you’re not committed to your treatment, it can be more than a little tempting to leave your aligners out for too long. However, successful results can only be attained if each set of aligners stay in place for at least 22 hours every day. Our dentists strongly recommend you follow this rule or you risk delaying your progress.
Need help keeping track of the time your aligners are out for a meal? Try the Invisalign “hack” where you set a timer. That way, when it rings later you are held accountable and can keep your treatment on schedule.
2) Possibly Developing a Minor Lisp
Have you ever worn a retainer or mouth guard before? If so, you may be familiar with how it can slightly change the way you sound when you speak. Thankfully, Invisalign is much thinner than many retainers or mouth guards but aligners may still create a slight lisp when in place.
The good news is that not every patient develops a lisp and for many, it goes away as they move through treatment. Regardless, it is typically minor to begin with (if it even happens) and should not deter you from .
3) Drinking Coffee Differently
Ah, delicious coffee in the morning. Don’t worry, it’s still possible with Invisalign but it does get complicated if you need more than one cup. This goes more for the adult orthodontic patients and less for those in their teenage years, but it’s still something to be aware of.
Every time you drink a beverage that isn’t water, our dentists recommend that you first remove your Invisalign aligners. Otherwise, you can stain the plastic and ruin the nearly invisible appearance. You should also brush your teeth if possible and rinse the aligners before putting them back in your mouth.
This can of course become a hassle if you require that extra jolt in the early hours of the day. With time, you can adapt to the new procedure of removing the aligners, brushing your teeth, and putting them back in. It’ll just take some patience and hey, it might help you cut back on caffeine.
4) Setting Mindless Snacking Aside
When you’re watching a good tv show or movie, it’s easy to munch on a snack while you relax. However, with in place, the activity of snacking becomes a bit more difficult.
Think about it. The aligners are in your mouth for up to 22 hours a day. There isn’t much time left for snacks when the hours left over are already dedicated to larger meals. Now, if you’re trying to cut down on snacking, having Invisalign may be a blessing in disguise. Otherwise, you may want to ask our dentists for a referral to a local orthodontist so you can choose metal or ceramic braces instead.
Interested in Starting Invisalign?
Our Invisalign dentists in Cadillac, MI, can examine your smile and take the necessary scans for clear aligner production if you’re ready to get started. Call LifeSmiles Dentistry today at (231) 775-8281 to request an appointment.
