An Invisalign® treatment is a lifelong investment and should be cared for and protected as such. Caring for your retainer, brushing and flossing, as well as scheduling regular appointments with your dentist or orthodontist can help prolong your results and keep your smile bright.
Proper Retainer Care
Unfortunately, tending to your smile doesn’t end when your Invisalign® treatment is over. Wearing a retainer is imperative to maintaining your new and improved smile. You retainer keeps your teeth in place, but only if they are worn as frequently as instructed. Failure to wear a retainer means there is nothing to prevent your teeth from shifting back into their original position. In fact, it is this mistake that leads many people to seek Invisalign® treatment in the first place.
Many of our Invisalign® patients have had braces in the past, usually during adolescence, and neglected to wear their retainers, which allowed their teeth to shift back to their original positions, disrupting their smile. Invisalign® retainers are very similar to the aligners you wore during treatment and are typically only to be worn at night.
Since your retainer is such an important part of maintaining your smile, it should be cared for properly:
- Replace your retainer every year. Retainers do more than holding your teeth in place. They protect your teeth from damage due to common issues like nighttime teeth grinding. For this reason, they do wear and should be replaced by your dentist every nine months to a year.
- Clean your retainer every night. We recommend that you avoid cleaning your retainer with toothpaste, as toothpaste contains abrasives that could dull its finish and lead to a buildup of bacteria. The easiest way to clean a retainer is to purchase drop-in They are several brands that are made just for cleaning dental devices.
Brushing and Flossing
Brushing and flossing are essential to keeping your teeth healthy. After an Invisalign® treatment, your gums will be more sensitive for a week or two. At this point in the treatment process your teeth have been protected by Invisalign® aligner trays for quite some time and may be sensitive to certain foods, food temperatures, and brushing and flossing.
When brushing and flossing during this period be sure to take extra care and avoid damage to your teeth and gums.
Regular Check-Ups
Regular dental checkups are important for everyone, but especially for Invisalign® patients. During these checkups, your dentist will inspect your smile to see that your teeth are staying put. If needed your dentist or orthodontist can make adjustments to your retainers. You will also receive replacement retainers at these appointments if your retainers begin to wear.
Wright Orthodontics encourages our patients in both Atlanta and Marietta, GA to stay on top of their post Invisalign® regimen to maintain their healthy new smile. Feel free to contact us with any questions or to schedule a checkup.
