Eating

Since you should be wearing your aligners 22 hours a day, one of the only reasons you should be removing them is to eat or drink anything other than water. If you leave your aligners in, you may find that they get damaged due to

• Stains
• Warping
• Cracks

You may have chosen Invisalign® over other options for its discretion, so brush after every meal to keep your aligners clear and avoid trapping bacteria on your teeth.

Staying Active

You should remove your Invisalign® aligners for high-contact activity and replace them with a mouth guard where recommended. Leaving your aligners in could cause damage to them, or worse, your teeth. If your aligners get cracked or completely broken, contact your dentist as soon as possible so that you can stay on schedule with your treatment plan. Possible courses of action include:

• Wearing your previous set of aligners
• Ordering a replacement set for the broken aligners
• Skipping to the next set of aligners

Cleaning

Good oral hygiene keeps bacteria from building up in your mouth, and with all the time your aligners spend in your mouth, they need to be cleaned just as often. You can use toothpaste and a toothbrush, or items from the Invisalign® cleaning collection. Use lukewarm water to help your aligners keep their shape. If the aligners get stained; submerge them in OTC 3% Hydrogen peroxide for 1 hour.

At WestLake Dental Care, we want you to have the best experience with any dental treatment you choose. Contact us today with any additional questions about your Invisalign® treatment plan or other ways to care for your aligners.