If you’ve ever felt self-conscious about your teeth, if you’ve tried to avoid smiling with your mouth open so that people don’t see uneven teeth, or if you’ve always wished you had straight teeth, there is a solution! And even better, a solution that doesn’t involve years of braces that, as an adult, you would really rather avoid. That solution is Invisalign®! But before you head out to your Mississauga dentist, it’s important to do some research about Invisalign and decide if it’s right for you. Here are some things M Dental wants you to know about Invisalign.
What to Know About Invisalign®
First, What is Invisalign?
A set of comfortable aligners will be made just for you about every two weeks for around six to 18 months. Instead of braces, which are semi-permanently attached to your teeth, your Invisalign aligners can be taken out whenever you need to eat, brush or floss your teeth. Gradually, your teeth will straighten out and you won’t have to struggle with the visual appearance of braces.
Wear Your Aligners
Seems easy enough, right? Invisalign works by gradually straightening your teeth with a set of aligners, so it’s important to wear them consistently. If you forget to wear them for a day, you’re probably OK to keep wearing the same pair. But the longer you go without wearing them, your teeth will eventually begin to shift back to their original position. The aligners should be worn 22 hours a day and should only be taken out to brush, floss, or eat.
Skip the Coffee
And while you’re at it, skip the wine, lipstick, acidic drinks, and any other foods or drinks that could cause the aligners to stain. Because they are made from plastic, you don’t want to stain them and have to put up with discolored looking teeth. If you simply can’t go without your cup of joe, you can take the aligners out while you’re drinking, but be sure to brush your teeth after and remember to put them back in. Another habit that causes staining is smoking. If you need to smoke, take the aligners out.
You Can Eat Normally
Just take the aligners out before you do. Dentists will strongly discourage you to not eat certain foods if you have braces, such as sticky candies or popcorn. The convenient thing about Invisalign is that you can eat whatever you want! Just make sure to remove the aligners, brush right after you are done eating, and then put them back in.
It Takes Time
Unfortunately, Invisalign is similar to braces in that it will take time to see results. Unlike teeth whitening which has instant results, your teeth take time to shift and become straight. Also, if you don’t wear the aligners consistently, it can take even longer. Typically, you will start seeing changes in a couple of months and, depending on your teeth and the plan that your dentist has in place, full results take around 12 months.
If you’ve been looking for a way to achieve that perfect smile, get in touch with your local Mississauga and Scarborough dentist. We will create a custom plan just for your teeth so you can feel the confidence that comes with straight, beautiful teeth.