2022-02-20
|
Dr Jatin
Summary:
If you’re using clear aligners, also known as transparent braces, for the first time, you’re probably wondering, “Can I drink hot coffee with my aligners on?” “Where should I keep the aligners when I’m not using them?” Read this article to learn about the important dos and don’ts of transparent aligners.
Clear aligners, also known as transparent braces or clear clips, are a trendy, painless, and stylish spin on traditional braces. Used to straighten your teeth and fix dental problems such as overbites, overcrowding, and tooth-gaps, clear aligners work best when they are handled with care and precision.
If you’re using clear aligners for the first time, here are some important dos and don’ts to keep in mind. Not only will these tips help you keep your aligners intact, they also make sure your teeth and gums are healthy over the course of your treatment.
While every brand of aligners come with an instruction manual, here are some easy and quick tips on what you should do when using them.
Regular rinsing is an important ritual to get accustomed to when using aligners. When it comes to keeping your aligners intact, plaque, bacteria, and food particles are your worst enemy. Before food and after a meal or beverage, rinse your mouth thoroughly before you put your aligners back on.
The coolest thing about clear aligners is that they feel so light, you barely realize you have them on. Having said that, don’t let your aligners trick you into eating without removing them. Make a mental note to always remove your aligners before you sit down to eat or drink, especially if you’re binging on hard nuts, foods with added colors, fruits, and so on.
Patience is key when it comes to using aligners and teeth straightening. Ask any dentist and they’ll tell you how crucial it is for you to keep your aligners on for a minimum of 20-22 hours a day. If you want your teeth straightening journey to be a smooth and successful one, keep this time frame in mind and remove your aligners for not more than 2 hours on any given day!
Bacteria colonize faster than anything else under the sun! Cleaning your aligners post every meal is an absolute must. Before you put your aligners back on, follow the instructions and wash your aligners with water properly. This will help you get rid of any invisible or invasive bacteria that may settle on your aligners when you’re not using them.
Whether you're cleaning them, removing them, or putting them back on, work with one aligner at a time instead of working with both at the same time. Since clear aligners are delicate devices, hasty and irresponsible movements can damage them in no time.
Clear aligners aren’t like any other, regular accessory. They are special tools that help straighten your teeth for life! You can’t leave your aligners unattended, stranded on the bathroom sink or your dressing table. Even wrapping them in paper or napkins is damaging in the long run. Make sure you store them appropriately, in the case they come in. Besides your mouth, that’s where your aligners belong.
Here are a few don’ts about wearing and using clear aligners that no one warns you about. Follow these rules and your teeth alignment journey is paved with zero obstacles.
Wearing and getting adjusted to aligners for the first time makes you want to keep touching and feeling them on your teeth. Avoid making physical contact with your aligners in this way. There are two things that could go wrong if you do: One, you run the risk of contaminating your aligners with dust and bacteria. Two, rubbing your aligners unnecessarily can damage their shape and structure.
Clear aligners or transparent braces are extremely user-friendly but don’t think you can alter them to suit your needs on your own. If they hurt you or make you feel uncomfortable in any way, contact your orthodontist or dentist right away and book a remote monitoring session to adopt a clinically-approved solution.
Before you use your colored bathing soap or face wash to clean your aligners, read the instructions carefully. While your usual cleaning materials may clean your aligners, artificial colors in such products could permanently tint your aligners. To ensure that your aligners are always fashionably transparent, use cleaning methods that are sanctioned by your dentist.
The best part about using clear aligners is that they are removable and allow you to eat or drink anything you want. However, if you have your aligners on, make sure you’re not drinking or eating anything that’s hot or warm. Whether it’s a nice cuppa or a sizzling steak, remove your aligners before you dig in.
Straightening your teeth isn’t the same as following a diet or exercise routine. You can’t cheat the process by doing away with your aligners for even a single day. Aligners do a successful job only when they’re worn everyday and consistently. The good news is you can at least remove them for a little while every day.
Smoking or chewing gum with your aligners on is like a recipe for disaster. Chewing gum is probably the stickiest thing one could ever consume and pairing such a substance with clear aligners will invite more trouble like food particles, plaque, and bacteria. Tobacco and nicotine will slowly but surely stain your aligners. If you’re looking to don a beautiful smile, no one wants stains and chewing gum damage!
Think about it. None of the dos and don’ts mentioned above are difficult things to remember. What may seem like a lot to take in at the beginning, slowly grows on you just as the aligners do. Once you get the hang of it and incorporate these little hacks into your daily aligner routine, you’ll start to see tremendous results.
Finally, DO smile, DON’T frown!
Share This
Published By
Dr Jatin