4 Tips for Wearing Invisalign a Full 22 Hours a Day

When you start your Invisalign treatment, you’ll be told that you need to keep the aligners in your mouth for at least 22 hours every day. It’s extremely important to stick to this rule; otherwise, the treatment timeline could be delayed, and you might even suffer additional complications. To make sure you’re meeting the required Invisalign wear time in Denton, keep these 4 important tips in mind.

1. Drink Water Instead of Other Beverages

You’ll need to take your aligners out when you want to eat or drink anything. However, water is the exception; it’s safe to drink it without risking any damage to the aligners. As such, it will be easier to meet your daily 22 hours if you choose water over other drinks. Having another beverage on occasion is okay, but it’s best if you drink it during meals instead of before or after.

2. When You Eat Out, Don’t Remove Your Aligners Until the Food Arrives

There’s no need to take your aligners out until you’re ready to start eating, so keep them in your mouth until the waiter comes by with your order. Then, once you’re done eating and have cleaned your teeth properly, you can put your aligners back in right away. The goal is to make sure your aligners are outside of your mouth for the absolute minimum amount of time.

3. Pay Attention to Your Eating Pace

Are you a naturally slow eater? If so, you might want to think about how you can speed things up. Wearing Invisalign for 22 hours each day means you only have 2 hours to fit in three square meals and oral hygiene; as such, you don’t want to spend too long lingering over your food. Consider your own habits and look for ways you can cut down your eating time while still being able to enjoy your meal.

4. Soak Your Invisalign While You’re Eating Dinner

As your cosmetic dentist in Denton will tell you, you’ll need to periodically soak your Invisalign to keep it free of stains and bacteria. The best time to do this is while you’re eating dinner; that way, you can eat and take care of your oral hygiene needs at the same time! If your Invisalign still needs a little more time to soak once you’re done with your meal, you can take a quick shower and brush your teeth, then simply pop the aligners back in when they’re ready.

Wearing your aligners for a specific amount of time on a daily basis might seem like a tall order at first, but once you learn the right strategies, it becomes much easier. Your dentist might be able to offer a few more Invisalign tips in Denton, so give them a call if you need help.

About the Author

Dr. Jonathan Aguilar loves how dentistry combines science with art and a very strong human element. He pursued his dental Doctorate at what is now known as Texas A&M College of Dentistry, and he worked in all sorts of dental settings after graduation. At Aguilar Family Dentistry, he offers a full range of services to patients of all ages, including Invisalign for straightening smiles. To schedule a consultation, visit his website or call (940) 566-5332.