Life with Invisalign: How To Navigate Your Treatment With A Daily Invisalign Routine

We’re assuming at this point that you have a reasonable understanding of how Invisalign works so we’ll touch briefly on the initial adjustment period before getting into the nitty gritty of establishing a daily Invisalign routine.

The first few days can be challenging as your mouth gets accustomed to retainers. You're likely to experience a level of discomfort as each new set of aligners feels tight against the gums initially, however, they will start to slacken as your teeth begin to shift to their correct positions. Over-the-counter painkillers should ease things and make your mouth feel more comfortable.

Establishing a new oral hygiene routine

Like all orthodontic treatments, it’s vital to ensure good oral hygiene, so you may need to look at upping your game. Since Invisalign trays are worn for 22 hours a day any food debris or bacteria trapped between your teeth and the trays could lead to bad breath, tooth decay and cavities. Two vital elements of your oral hygiene routine should include:

• Brushing and flossing - It's important to brush and floss after every meal before putting your aligners back in your mouth to prevent food particles from getting trapped. Carry a travel-sized toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss to stay prepared
• Cleaning your aligners - Clean your aligners daily with a soft toothbrush and clear antibacterial soap, or by soaking them in denture cleaner or Invisalign cleaning crystals. Avoid toothpaste, as it can scratch and make the aligners more visible

Eating and drinking with Invisalign

One of the most significant changes when eating and drinking with Invisalign is that you must remove your trays before eating and drinking anything other than water. While this is a good thing because there are no food restrictions, on the downside you’ll probably need to plan your meals and snacks more carefully to fit into a daily Invisalign routine.

• Meal planning - Because you need to brush and clean your teeth after every snack or meal, you may want to look at ways of consolidating a meal with a snack, to cut back on the number of times you have to remove your aligners and clean your teeth.
• Staying hydrated- You can drink as much water as you like when wearing your aligners. However, you must remove them to drink anything else or run the risk of staining them, or in the case of sweet sugary drinks, increase the chance of developing cavities. It’s crucial to drink plenty of water throughout the day to avoid discomfort and dryness in your mouth.
• Dining out - When eating out, plan ahead for brushing your teeth afterward. Carry a small dental care kit for convenience, or at least rinse your mouth with water before reinserting your aligners if brushing isn't possible.

Managing soreness and discomfort

We’ve mentioned above that new aligners always cause some discomfort, so a top tip when you’re due to move on to the next aligners in the sequence is to change them just before going to bed so that you sleep through several hours of potential discomfort.

In the early days of Invisalign, you can try reducing swelling with an ice pack placed over your cheeks and stick to soft foods which slide down like soup and yogurt. It also helps to chew on orthodontic ‘chewies’ which help seat the trays in their correct place on the teeth, reducing any discomfort.

Staying consistent and on track

It’s vital to wear your aligners for 22 hours a day to ensure that your teeth move according to your treatment plan. Remember, if they’re not in your mouth, they can’t work!

• Setting reminders – It's easy to eat your meal and forget to put your trays back in your mouth. Set yourself a reminder on your phone so as not to forget.
• Traveling – If you’re planning a trip away, be sure to bring your aligner case with you and an additional set of aligners. It’s also an idea to have a copy of your treatment plan with you, just in case there’s a problem and you need to visit an orthodontist.
• Getting someone else on board – Sharing your Invisalign journey with a close friend or family member can also help you remain motivated, particularly at challenging times.

Embracing your new smile

Even the smallest change in your smile as you progress through your journey is worthy of celebration and helps you remain committed to your treatment.

• Tracking progress – Taking a photo of your smile at the beginning of your treatment and at intervals during its duration, helps you see the progress you have made.
• Celebrating milestones – When you’ve worked your way through, say, a quarter of your aligners, take a moment to celebrate and even treat yourself to a small gift to spur you on and make your journey more enjoyable.

Final thoughts

Adjusting to living with Invisalign takes time and commitment, but all our patients say a straight, healthy smile more than makes up for it. By adopting a daily Invisalign routine, managing any discomfort, and remaining committed, you’ll soon find the adjustments become second nature. Every step you take brings you closer to your perfect smile, making the journey both bearable and worthwhile.

Do you want straighter teeth?

Are you fed up with your crooked smile and wondering about the benefits of straight teeth? Take a read of this post and it will tell you all you need to know. Meanwhile, why not schedule an Invisalign consultation with the team at Chesterfield Dentistry to see if it’s right for you.