The pandemic has altered many things; one of the most surprising is the desire to get straight teeth. Quarantine requirements and lockdowns have encouraged people to hop on the teeth straightening trend. If you can make something good out of a negative situation, why wouldn’t you do it?
If you’re thinking about getting Invisalign treatment or just started the process, your mind is probably overflowing with thoughts. From happy to anxious, any treatment that can vastly alter your health can be overwhelming. The good thing is that Invisalign aligner therapy is an excellent orthodontic treatment to realign your teeth without wearing bulky braces.
Invisalign treatment is an alternative to braces in a clear aligner form. People of all ages can use these aligners as long their dentist approves of the treatment. Adjusting teeth has been made much easier due to this pain-free alternative.
Once you and your dentist have collectively determined that Invisalign is the right choice for you, there are further steps you can take. When a Hamilton dental clinic orthodontist treats your teeth, you will receive an individualized plan to guide you through the process.
Getting the Most of Invisalign Treatment
The specialist that places the Invisalign for you plays a significant role in the process. Once the orthodontist has assessed your mouth, they will inform you if Invisalign is suitable for you.
To make the most of your treatment, you must visit a renowned orthodontist in Hamilton, Ontario who can help you through the procedure. Your dentist will probably enjoy the moment they get to introduce you to your first set of aligners almost as much as you.
Your Invisalign treatment can be more effective if you follow the correct aftercare procedure. Even though getting Invisalign may seem like a simple task, you have to make some effort to ensure it works.
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Surviving the First Week with the Aligners
The first week might be the most challenging part of the process since the whole thing is very new for you. Although it can cause some pain and discomfort in the beginning, your mouth will eventually adjust. You will need to be patient and adopt specific mechanisms to merge the Invisalign into your daily routine.
During the first few days, you may notice a slight lisp while you speak. Don’t be alarmed because this won’t last long. Once your mouth gets used to aligners, the lisp will go away. You will also feel the urge to move your aligners, so try to make an effort to stop doing that. Moving your tongue around too much can result in a sore tongue or irritate your mouth.
Although things will feel different, try not to pay too much attention to your aligners and proceed with your daily activities. Just try to watch what you eat and consumer softer items during the first week to avoid pain.
Tips to Smoothen the Process
There are things you can do to make the Invisalign process smoother. If you carefully follow the instructions provide by your dentist, along with the steps below, you can make the best out of the process.
1. Don’t Forget to Put Them On
Since the aligners are a new addition to your life, you might forget to put them on sometimes or keep them on for long enough. As obvious as it sounds, this is the most critical step. Your goal should be to keep them on for as close to 22 hours each day. Keeping the aligners off for too long can slow down or adversely affect the treatment. Put reminders on your phone or create a schedule to ensure that they are on most of the time.
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2. Switch Up Your Aligners
When you get Invisalign in Hamilton Ontario, your dentist will provide you with a schedule with timeframes of when and how often you should change your aligners. People typically need to wear each set for two weeks, but your dentist will be able to provide you with exact numbers.
3. Change Aligners at Night
Whenever you switch your aligners and put on new ones, you might feel pressure or pain from the trays. However, your mouth will adjust to that soon. Since the first few hours are the most uncomfortable times, putting on the new aligners at night might make it easier to tolerate. Since you will be sleeping, you won’t feel the discomfort as much.
4. Be Cautious of The Invisalign Diet
Yes, the Invisalign diet is a real thing! Some people limit their snacking due to their aligners, and it results in unexpected weight loss. While that might please some people, others with health concerns might suffer. So, you must monitor what you are eating and take breaks to eat snacks sometimes if needed.
5. Take Care of Your Tongue
When you put on aligners for the first time, it will take time to adjust. Since it is a new feeling, you may feel the need to touch it with your tongue early on in the process. Constantly using your tongue for that may cause swelling or pain. Another way your tongue could suffer is if the plastic edges of your aligners have any sharp edges. If you feel anything like that, talk to your dentist and get that sorted.
6. Keep Your Aligners Clean
You need to put just as much emphasis on cleaning your aligners as you do with your teeth. Proper dental hygiene is essential for a healthy mouth and particularly important for Invisalign users. When you brush your teeth, you need to reach all around the aligners and make sure you clean every corner without scrubbing too hard.
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7. Say No to Gum
This one might be a heartbreaker for many, but the gum has got to go. If you chew gum with your aligners on, it can get stuck to them and damage the aligners due to the movements and constant chewing.
8. Watch Your Coffee Intake
Coffee can be an entire food group for some people. If you rely on coffee for daily functions, this might be bad news. Drinking multiple cups of coffee can stain your aligners. It is best only to drink coffee when you have your aligners off to eat. You don’t have to say goodbye to coffee; you can minimize its consumption for the best results. The best drink to consume when you have your aligners on is water.
The Follow-up Process
You have to visit the dentist regularly according to their suggested timeframe. The dentist will examine you and also provide you with new sets of aligners when needed. You may even need to wear a set of retainers for a while after the aligners come off. When the process is finally complete, make sure to flaunt your new smile with lots of pictures!