September 8th, 2016
Invisalign® aligners are made from a clear, thermoplastic material that is custom-made to fit your teeth. Unlike conventional braces, Invisalign aligners are removable. Because of this, they require special care. To achieve the best smile results, proper handling and care of your Invisalign aligners is vital.
Follow these steps to take care of your aligners:
- Do not eat or drink hot beverages while wearing Invisalign aligners. It’s a good idea to get in the practice of removing your aligners before eating and drinking. Because they are made of plastic resin, heat can distort and damage them. Also, eating while wearing the aligners will cause sugar and other food particles to stay on your teeth, which contributes to plaque and tooth decay.
- Clean the aligner trays regularly. Invisalign aligners are exposed to the same bacteria and plaque your mouth is, so you need to clean them as regularly as you clean your teeth. However, you should avoid cleaning the aligners with harsh chemicals. We recommend using a denture cleaner or other mild cleaning solution. Please carefully follow the instructions we give you.
- Store aligners in a cool, dry, safe place. When you’re not wearing the aligners, store them in the case provided by our office. If you don’t use the case, they can easily get lost or damaged. Keeping them out of reach of small children and pets is also a good idea. Dogs love to adopt clear aligners as chew toys!
- Don’t chew gum while wearing aligners. There’s one thing that conventional braces and Invisalign aligners have in common: chewing gum damages both.
- Don’t soak aligners in mouthwash. Many popular mouthwashes contain a color pigment. There’s a possibility that soaking Invisalign aligners in mouthwash will tint or stain them.
- For more tips for a successful Invisalign experience, contact our office!
August 22nd, 2016
During your initial consultation, Dr. Godwin will map out a specific treatment plan for you which includes a timeline of when we expect to complete your treatment. Like most types of health care, patient cooperation is key in determining the length of treatment and the quality of the outcome.
Creating A Healthy Smile Requires Team Effort & You Are The Key Player
Luckily there are things you can do to ensure that your treatment wraps up in a timely manner and that you have an amazing, healthy smile when braces are removed. Here's how you can do your part:
- Make sure to keep your regularly scheduled appointments. Postponing or cancelling can delay treatment;
- When prescribed, make sure you are diligent about wearing your rubber bands or other appliances according to Dr. Godwin's guidelines;
- Avoid damage to your braces and teeth by wearing a mouthguard during all sports activities;
- Steer clear of sticky, chewy or hard foods that can lead to broken brackets and loose wires. Damage to your braces often cause delays in treatment;
- Keep teeth and gums healthy by brushing and flossing daily, and don't forget to visit your general dentist twice a year for regular dental cleanings;
- Stay away from sugary and acidic drinks that weaken tooth enamel. Soft drinks, fruit drinks and sports drinks contain acid. This acid pulls calcium out of the enamel, dissolves tooth enamel, and causes a process called decalcification. Once enamel is lost, it does not come back - it's permanent!
If you remember to follow these guidelines, you'll be on your way to the dazzling, healthy smile you've always wanted. As for us, out team at Bel Air Orthodontics will do our part to move your orthodontic treatment along efficiently. If you have any questions about your treatment or your responsibilities in care, please feel free to ask.
August 10th, 2016
Having braces can present some new challenges when it comes to oral hygiene. It is essential that you put some extra attention into preventing tooth decay while wearing your braces. When your braces are finally removed, you want a beautiful, white smile, not decayed or stained teeth. Here are a few tips to help you keep your teeth healthy while wearing your braces:
Learn Proper Brushing Techniques
Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against the gums in order to clean the whole tooth, and brush gently in the area between the wiring and the teeth. Use a softer toothbrush with fluoride toothpaste for best results. Using an oral rinse every day will help, too. Rinsing with mouthwash is important regardless, but especially important when you have braces, as you need to disinfect the entire mouth, including those spots under the braces where your brush can’t always reach.
Brush after Every Meal
Since braces block food from naturally escaping your teeth after eating, it’s important that you take the time to brush and floss after every meal. The less time food has to sit on your teeth, the less likely it is to cause decay. This may seem like an inconvenience, but when you get your braces off, you will be very glad you brushed after every meal.
Eat Braces-Safe Foods
When you have braces, there are certain foods that you must avoid. For starters, sticky foods such as caramel or gum can get stuck in your braces and are difficult to remove during brushing. Avoid hard foods, too, such as nuts and candy. Those goodies can bend wires or even break a bracket. And while you may love apples, carrots, or corn on the cob, they’re too firm or hard to bite into and can damage your braces. Crunchy treats can also harm your orthodontic appliances. It’s best to stay away from chips and popcorn, which can damage your braces. So just what can you eat? We recommend soft foods that are low in enamel-busting acids, such as bananas, mangoes, milk, water, poultry, and pasta.
Get Regular Checkups
It’s important to keep your routine appointments with your dentist and dental hygienist for a thorough cleaning twice a year or as directed. The exact frequency of these visits will be up to your dentist, as some types of braces are more demanding of a regular cleaning than others.
As long as you practice good oral hygiene and follow these basic tips, you should have no problem keeping your teeth healthy while you wear braces.
August 1st, 2016
Invisalign® clear aligners are one of our most popular treatments for straightening teeth, and for good reason. In addition to their effectiveness in resolving a wide range of orthodontic issues, they are also clear, comfortable, and removable!
It is no wonder that Invisalign is one of the requested aesthetic treatments in our office. More than 2.5 million patients worldwide have been treated with Invisalign, and that number grows daily.
Why choose Invisalign for your treatment?
Since Invisalign aligners are discreet, they are hardly noticeable when you speak and smile, and because they are removable, you can eat and drink whatever you want. Just remember to brush and floss before putting your aligners back in. Treatment with Invisalign a great alternative to metal braces, and the results are just as amazing!
Invisalign Treatment Details
Invisalign’s virtually invisible aligners are made of a thermoplastic material uniquely developed for the Invisalign® treatment plan. They look similar to teeth-whitening trays. Over the course of treatment, you will be supplied with a series of aligners. When the aligners are placed on your teeth, they cause them to shift gradually from their current positions. After about two to four weeks, you will switch to the next set of aligners, which continue the teeth-straightening process. For the best results and a timely outcome, you need to wear your aligners for 20 to 22 hours per day.
Visits to our office are a necessary part of any orthodontic treatment plan. We will schedule regular appointments to see you, usually about once every four to six weeks, to make sure your treatment is progressing according to plan.
The length of your Invisalign treatment depends on the severity of your case and can only be determined during your consultation at our office; however, the average case takes about 12 - 18 months to complete for adults.
We are proud to offer Invisalign as a safe, effective way for our patients to achieve the smiles they’ve always wanted. Find out what Invisalign® can do for you by contacting our office and scheduling a complimentary initial consultation.
Invisalign® aligners are made from a clear, thermoplastic material that is custom-made to fit your teeth. Unlike conventional braces, Invisalign aligners are removable. Because of this, they require special care. To achieve the best smile results, proper handling and care of your Invisalign aligners is vital.
