One of the quickest and most effective ways to straighten your smile is with Invisalign. With this discreet orthodontic treatment, you’ll be able to feel comfortable showing off your pearly whites during the entire process of improving your dental health. However, your progress will mostly depend on how well you meet your 22-hour Invisalign wear time. Read on to learn three essential tips to help make this process easier to manage!
#1: Reduce Your Snacking
To make sure your clear aligners remain in good condition, you’ll need to take them off every time you eat or drink anything (except for pure water). This means that if you tend to snack frequently, you’ll likely realize the difficulty in having to remove your Invisalign trays too often. You’ll also need to clean your teeth and clear aligners once you’re done eating/drinking, which can become time-consuming. To avoid this, you may consider limiting how frequently you eat snacks between meals to ensure you maintain steady progress with your treatment. You can also try eating fiber-rich foods (like veggies, nuts, and fruits) and lean protein to keep yourself full during the day.
#2: Clean & Eat Simultaneously
Other than brushing your clear aligners, soaking them in cleaning crystals or similar agents will be important for removing stubborn debris and plaque. But when will you have the time to do this and keep up with your 20–22-hour wear time? A simple solution is to soak your Invisalign trays during your meals. You’ll be able to get the nourishment you need as well as clean your aligners at the same time!
#3: Stay Off Your Phone
Do you often scroll through your phone while eating your food? Though this might make mealtime more entertaining, it can also take you away from your required wear time. Instead of only spending 15-30 minutes with your clear aligners off, you can easily go an hour or more without them. This can set you back in your treatment plan, increasing the length of your orthodontic process. By simply putting your phone away, you can be sure to finish your food, clean your teeth and trays, and continue your Invisalign progress to get the straightened smile you’ve always wanted.
Following these habits can be crucial for ensuring that you meet your 20–22-hour wear time hassle-free. After 12 to 18 months, you may be able to enjoy your improved pearly whites for many years to come!
About the Author
Dr. Michael Michel earned his dental degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry. He also regularly seeks continuing education to expand his skills and is a member of several groups like the American Dental Association and the Topeka District Dental Society. He provides a vast selection of high-quality services, including Invisalign to help you achieve a healthier smile. If you’d like to know more about meeting your Invisalign wear time, feel free to visit our website or call our Topeka location at 785-273-0801 or our Silver Lake location at 785-582-0185.