Invisalign is known for being considerably more convenient than traditional braces. Since there aren’t dietary restrictions, cumbersome oral hygiene regimens, or monthly adjustment appointments, it’s easy to see why! While all of that is true, patients are still responsible for wearing their aligners for a minimum of 22 hours a day to stay on-track with their treatment plan. If you’re having trouble meeting this goal, keep reading for four helpful tips!
1. Only Remove Your Aligners When It’s Absolutely Necessary
It’s common for patients to develop a few less-than-ideal habits during their orthodontic treatment, like taking their aligners out when their teeth feel sore. However, doing so makes it extremely difficult to wear your aligners for 22 hours a day. That’s why we recommend taking a different approach: switching to each new set of trays before bed. That way, you sleep through the period of time when your teeth are moving the most.
2. Multi-Task Where You Can
Multi-tasking is also extremely helpful when it comes to wearing your aligners for the recommended amount of time. One example is soaking them in a cleaning solution while you’re eating dinner. Another is drinking your coffee with your breakfast instead of sipping on it over the course of several hours. Minor changes to your day-to-day routine may seem insignificant, but they can make a big difference in whether or not you wear your aligners for 22 hours a day.
3. Eat Satiating, Well-Balanced Meals
Eating healthy, well-balanced meals will certainly benefit your oral and overall health. It will also help keep you full, limiting the desire to snack throughout the morning or afternoon. This is crucial because you need to remove your aligners before eating or drinking anything other than water. So, each snack digs into your aligner-free time.
4. Use the Stopwatch on Your Phone as a Guide
Last, but certainly not least, use the stopwatch on your phone as a guide. That way, you have an idea of how close or far you are from the mark. With this information, you can make the necessary adjustments to your routine to ensure you stay on-track with your treatment plan.
About the Practice
Our team at Weldon Implant & Cosmetic Dentistry of Ocala isn’t just here to create your Invisalign treatment plan. We’re here to be an ongoing resource throughout your teeth-straightening journey so you always have somewhere to turn for answers, recommendations, and tips. If you are interested in clear aligner treatment and want to find out if you’re a candidate, then don’t hesitate to schedule a consultation with us via our website or by phone at (352) 622-3236.