Any social media platform you turn to, you’ll likely see some transformational Invisalign® results that make you realize it might be time to start an Invisalign treatment.

Countess Invisalign before and after images exist to show you exactly how this treatment can benefit you, but how can you ensure that you get the best Invisalign results?

Here are 5 tips for getting the best Invisalign results:

1. Bring a travel toothbrush with you.

It’s easy to keep your clear aligners clean as long as you take proper care of them throughout the day. We can’t stress enough how important it is that you keep your Invisalign clean. Placing an aligner back in your mouth with leftover food lodged between your teeth promotes bacteria buildup in your aligners and between your teeth.

Use a small, convenient toothbrush throughout the day to remove food particles from your teeth and debris from your aligners. Use your toothbrush, mild soap, and lukewarm water. (Don’t use toothpaste on your clear aligners! They’re too delicate for some of the abrasive ingredients in toothpaste.) Practicing great hygiene throughout the day is imperative for preventing discoloration and bacteria build up in your aligners. It’s also important for preventing cavities and tooth decay.

2. Don’t place your Invisalign on a napkin or plate when you remove them.

One of the easiest ways to lose your Invisalign trays or retainers is by throwing them away. It may be tempting to place your clear aligners on a napkin or on your plate when you take them out to eat, but this habit is likely to land your clear aligners in the trash can.

Clear aligners are, well, clear. This is a perk of Invisalign, but it can also be a downfall if you choose to store your aligners in a napkin. Instead, store your aligners in their respective case when they’re not in your mouth. This practice will prevent you from having to order replacement aligners, which might prolong your treatment!

3. Keep your aligners fresh by rinsing them.

To see the best Invisalign results, rinse your clear aligners every time you remove them. Use cold or lukewarm water to rinse them; hot water can damage and deform your clear aligners.

Rinse your Invisalign often to prevent dried saliva from building up and bacteria from growing. Any time you remove your aligners, whether it be to eat food, brush your teeth or floss your teeth, rinse them out with cold water before putting them back in place. Bacteria-filled aligners can lead to bad breath, the need for replacement aligners, and in serious cases—gum disease or tooth decay.

4. Wear your aligners 20 to 22 hours a day.

This tip is equally as important as keeping your Invisalign in great condition. Your Invisalign treatment is designed to be worn 20 to 22 hours every day. One of the advantages of Invisalign is the ability to remove your clear aligners throughout the day. Don’t get too comfortable with removing your aligners, though! They need to stay in your mouth unless you’re eating, drinking liquids other than water, brushing or flossing your teeth.

Be sure to wear your aligners while you sleep too! If you don’t wear your Invisalign as prescribed, you’re more likely to prolong your treatment period, and less likely to see the Invisalign results you want. Similarly, if your treatment includes Invisalign attachments, it’s important that your clear aligners are in place for these attachments to be effective.

5. Smile as often as possible.

The final and most important Invisalign tip to follow is smiling as often as possible. You can rest assured that your treatment is practically undetectable by others, no matter what your day holds—first day on the new job, college graduation, a speech or a presentation? Your Invisalign treatment will remain a secret.

It’s incredibly exciting to know that you’re getting closer to your ideal smile with every passing minute that your clear aligners are in place! Before you know it, you’ll be looking in the mirror, reveling in your newfound confidence. If that isn’t smile-worthy, nothing is!

Following these Invisalign tips will help your treatment to go as smoothly as possible. Invisalign is designed to produce exceptional results if you wear it, clean it, and store it as prescribed. Don’t leave any room for error or the possibility of a prolonged treatment if you wish to see the best Invisalign results.

We provide high quality orthodontics in Royal Palm Beach, West Boca Raton, and 6 other locations in South Florida. (We make the cost of Invisalign affordable for you!) Request your free orthodontic consultation with us today to begin your journey to a confident smile!