Five Tips for Caring for Teeth After Invisalign

St. Paul/Minneapolis, MN – Invisalign treatment required diligent work on your part. You paid extra close attention to your brushing and flossing, brushing after every meal before putting your aligners back in. You followed your orthodontist’s directions on when to move to a new set of aligners, and wore them the recommended number of hours a day. And a gorgeous straight smile is the product of that hard work.

But how can you ensure it stays that way?

1. Use your retainer.
After any orthodontic treatment is completed, wearing a retainer is crucial to ensuring the teeth don’t move back to their old locations. It can take months for your teeth to properly settle into their new location and for the tissues in your mouth to settle enough to secure them in place. Failing to wear your retainer as prescribed, especially in the first six months after treatment, can make your straight smile return to its original appearance.
2. Don’t forget to brush and floss.
Now that you have newly straightened teeth, you’ll want to smile more than ever before. To keep those pearly whites bright, make sure you brush at least twice a day and floss once a day.
3. Don’t forget to maintain checkups with your dentist.
Having regularly scheduled checkups throughout the year can ensure your smile stays healthy. It doesn’t take much time for gingivitis to set in, which if allowed to progress, can put your beautiful new smile in jeopardy. Gum disease is the number one cause of tooth loss in adults. But keeping those regular appointments will ensure your dentist is able to spot any problems before they become troublesome.
4. Avoid certain foods.
This won’t be forever, but just for the first couple of days and weeks after your treatment is finished. That’s because your mouth might be a bit sensitive, so you might want to stay away from hard and crunchy foods until your mouth settles.
5. Don’t say goodbye to your orthodontist.
Just because your Invisalign treatment has ended, doesn’t mean your relationship with your orthodontist should. You’ll need to continue wearing a retainer for a period of time once you finish your aligner treatment, and for some patients, wearing a retainer becomes a part of their new daily routine. Keeping up your relationship with your orthodontist can ensure your smile stays as straight as possible, and if you experience a relapse, can get you back on track in no time.

“Invisalign treatment is such a great way for patients to get the smiles they’ve always wanted,” says a St. Paul/Minneapolis orthodontist. “I love seeing how happy my patients are after their treatment, and want to ensure that happiness over their new smile lasts. Following these tips is a great way to ensure you have a beautiful smile for a lifetime.”

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