5 tips to help you manage the first few weeks

When you are told by your dentist that you are suitable to pursue straightening your teeth with an invisible aligner, it can feel like a huge weight has been lifted off from your shoulders.

After all, in the world of cosmetic dentistry, invisible braces are considered by dental patients to be the gold standard of orthodontic treatments.

But, while there are some obvious advantages of wearing an invisible brace, there is some part of their usage which can prove a bit more tricky for many patients, resulting in a bit of shock during those first few weeks of wear. Indeed, even if you are able to undertake the world-famous

Invisalign Sydney, you may experience a few hiccups in those early days of treatment.

So, how can you ensure you make it through the first month of wearing Invisalign without giving up on the process? Read on to find out.

Protect your tongue

First things first, Invisalign as a piece of apparatus is going to be composed of durable, but flexible, plastic.

While this is ideal for discretion, you may be surprised at how often the sides of your tongue rub against your new aligners, causing sore spots to form.

To ease this transition, ask your dentist for some dental wax; applied to the sharper edges of the aligner, it will protect your tongue against rubbing, allowing you to adjust to the aligner.

Keep track of usage

As obvious as it sounds, you will need to keep track of how often you use this brace; it is removable and so, many patients find it hard to accurately keep a timeline of how long they have worn it for each day.

Luckily, if you have a smartphone, you can use an app to sync your usage to your dentist’s computer, allowing them to monitor how long you wear the brace each day. Or, if you don’t have a smartphone, keep a diary each day of how many hours you have had it in your mouth. This will help your dentist to identify if the brace is working correctly and to make adaptations if it isn’t.

Buy a travel toothbrush

A removable brace needs a mini-toothbrush to ensure that your teeth stay healthy.

As you will remove the brace when you eat, it is important to clean your teeth after each meal to prevent pressing food debris against your teeth and gums, thus keeping your mouth in top condition.

Keep them in as required!!!

22 hours per day is standard wearing time and, while it may seem like an eternity, it is worth sticking to.

Failure to do so will result in a prolonged treatment time, which will cost more and require more dental visits.

Water only

When you are wearing your invisible brace, only drink water.

As the plastic is clear, consuming wines, coffees, sodas or other highly acidic drinks or foods may cause the plastic to stain, making your brace more noticeable to passers-by. Far from the discreet look that was wanted!

DISCLAIMER

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.