Living With Invisalign In Chesterfield, MO – Top Tips For Comfort, Care, And Confidence

Did you know that Invisalign is by far the most popular cosmetic dental treatment we offer? In fact, enquiries at our dental office here in Chesterfield, MO, have doubled over the past 2-3 years, and they don’t look like slowing down. But while more and more people are embarking on their personal smile journeys, we’ve noticed a pattern…

Most people, while extremely excited about a less intrusive style of teeth straightening, remain nervous about how they’re going to cope with them on a day-to-day basis. With this in mind, we thought we’d put together a post about living with Invisalign in Chesterfield, MO – More specifically, some practical hints and tips to improve comfort, care, and confidence, so let’s get started…

Tip #1 – Know What To Expect

While Invisalign aligners are undoubtedly less uncomfortable than conventional fixed braces, they can still cause some discomfort at certain stages of the treatment. When we say “can,” we really mean they’re “likely to”.

So why is this?

After all, you don’t have brackets or wiring that can rub on the gums, and you don’t even need to wear them while eating!

Well, yes…but…

Every time you replace an old aligner with the next one in the series, it’s likely to feel tight on your teeth. This can cause some discomfort, but it’s a surefire sign that treatment is working.

And the good news?

Discomfort only lasts for a day or two until teeth start to shift again and your smile relaxes properly into the retainer.

As a top tip for living with Invisalign in Chesterfield, MO, we’d suggest swapping your old aligner out for your new one just before going to bed. This way, when you wake up, you’ll be further into your smile journey, and any pain may have eased. You could always pre-empt any discomfort by taking a Tylenol just in case.

Essentially, it’s about knowing what to expect, and a few hours of discomfort every two weeks or so is a small price to pay for a straighter, healthier, confidence-boosting smile, right?   

Tip #2 – Know where your Invisalign Aligners Are At All Times!

As stupid as it sounds, lost or missing aligners can be a real issue. You can’t just replace a missing aligner with any random retainer in your set.

Why?

Because each Invisalign aligner is crafted to fit your teeth at a particular stage of your smile journey. Skip one or two, and it’s unlikely to fit over your teeth.

Then there’s a case of contacting your dentist, who’ll need to craft another aligner to replace the missing object. This can take time, which may set your treatment back. It’s a hassle you probably don’t want or need.

Instead, try following the Invisalign golden rule… “If the aligner isn’t in your mouth, it stays in its case.”

Stick to this and you won’t go far wrong. Think about it this way…

It’s so easy to take your aligner out when eating and place it onto the kitchen countertop, only to watch it blend in like a chameleon so you can no longer see it. Sure, Invisalign aligners are supposed to be virtually Invisible, but not in that way, right?

A far better suggestion is to always put it back in the case. This way, you know where it is, but also, when you’re done, it can act as a reminder to give your teeth, the aligner, and the case a good scrub before putting it back in your mouth.

Tip#3 – Stick To The Plan

It goes without saying that orthodontic appliances need to be worn in the mouth in order to work. With fixed orthodontic braces, this isn’t a problem because, as the name suggests, they’re “fixed” permanently in the mouth throughout the duration of your treatment. So, even if you wanted to remove them, you couldn’t. 

Conversely, Invisalign aligners are designed to be removed daily by the patient. In one way, that’s a good thing because it places you in full control of your treatment, but what you need to remember is that every time you remove them, your treatment stops. This is why your Invisalign aligners need to remain in the mouth for up to 22 hours a day.

But that in itself can pose a problem because they need to be removed every time you eat, drink, or brush your teeth. That leaves you a short window of opportunity to get all these things done.

So, if you aren’t disciplined and stick rigidly to the “22 hours in and 2 hours out” rule, you may find your treatment lapsing.

As a top tip for living with Invisalign in Chesterfield, MO, set yourself a timer every time you remove your aligners so you know how long you have left. While an extra hour here and there is unlikely to cause major setbacks, it may become problematic if it occurs regularly. So, stick to the plan and you’ll find living with Invisalign that much easier. 

Tip #4 Keep Your Smile Clean

Maintaining excellent oral hygiene is crucial when undergoing Invisalign treatment. For instance, be prepared to brush and floss your teeth after each meal and rinse your aligner several times a day. Doing so reduces the risk of cavities and bad breath, but it also prevents the crystal clear retainer from turning into a cloudy, and often smelly, appliance you really don’t want to put back in your mouth.

As a top tip, if you want to preserve the life of your Invisalign aligner in Chesterfield, MO, make cleaning routines easy. Have everything at hand to save time. Use a soft-bristle toothbrush and a clear liquid soap on your aligner, never toothpaste, as this can be too abrasive. Rinse your aligner thoroughly in cold or lukewarm water and wipe dry with a clean lint-free cloth. Oh, and remember tip #2: “If your aligner isn’t in your mouth, it stays in your case.”  

Tip #5 -  Remember, This is A Journey

We get it, it isn’t always convenient or fun to wear aligners, and sometimes you might even think, “What’s the point,” particularly when you haven’t noticed any difference for a few weeks. However, Invisalign really does work. After all, 20+ million users can’t be wrong, right?

Instead, trust in the process and know that every day your teeth are one step closer to a healthier, confidence-boosting smile that you can be proud of, even if you can’t see it just yet!

Besides, if you have any doubts about your treatment and its progress, you can always book an appointment with the Chesterfield Dentistry team. We’ll schedule regular appointments with you anyway to ensure everything’s on track, but if you need further reassurance along the way, or you have any concerns during treatment, pop in and have a chat.

Living with clear aligners is certainly different, but it doesn’t have to be hard as long as you know what to expect. Hopefully, this post has covered those aspects, leaving you with a clear path towards achieving an Invisalign-boosting smile.

If you’re ready to take the plunge and talk to us about Invisalign in Chesterfield, MO, call at  314 936 3621 or visit our website. Our team looks forward to supporting you on our smile journey.