Invisalign clear aligners are removable, which might trick you into thinking you don’t have to do as much for your oral hygiene! On the contrary, if you want your aligners to keep their invisible appearance and last for the duration of your treatment, you should put more effort into your dental care routine. Keep reading to learn why flossing is so important with Invisalign, and what you can do to effectively manage bacteria and stains.
Sneaky Bacteria and Food Particles
The reason you floss normally is to promote and protect your oral health. Food particles can get wedged between your pearly whites, even when you don’t feel or see them. This can encourage bacterial growth – which is already likely occurring anyway. Ultimately, leaving food and bacteria to fester can lead to serious problems like tooth decay and gum disease.
That science holds up with or without Invisalign aligners. On top of that, both leftover food and unwashed bacteria will stain your aligners, meaning no more conveniently transparent orthodontics.
Flossing for Optimal Aesthetics
How can you floss, then, not just for optimal oral health, but also optimal aesthetics? Here’s some not-so-secret tips:
- Remove your aligners. Sounds easy enough, right? Sometimes Invisalign aligners fit so snugly to your teeth that this can actually be a bit tricky. You might have to work at it for a few seconds, or you could invest in an Invisalign removal tool to help simplify the process.
- Rinse your mouth. This helps dislodge loose debris and break up tougher deposits. If you swish and spit water that has a bit of salt in it, you’ll also slow bacteria growth and promote healing. Neat!
- To floss with a water flosser, start towards the back of your mouth. As you work your way to the front, hold your device at a 90-degree angle, and target the tops of your teeth, your gumline, and of course the spaces in between each tooth.
- With classic floss, form the thread into a “C shape” once you’ve got it wiggled between your teeth. Carefully pull up and down, targeting the sides of the tooth on the right and left. Voila! You now know an advanced thread technique.
With this extra-thorough process, you can avoid getting awkward blemishes on your aligners and keep everyone focused on your bright pearly whites! However, when it comes to oral hygiene, few have better skills than a dentist. In addition to sticking to a good flossing routine, visit your dental professional every six months for a top-notch cleaning. A little extra help goes a long way when it comes to teeth and Invisalign care.
About the Author
Dr. Kolade Akinwande is a certified Invisalign provider, meaning that she’s trusted to effectively and beautifully straighten patients’ teeth with these revolutionary aligners. Dr. Akinwande wants to help ensure your treatment goes smoothly and your aligners stay clean and comfortable, so if you have questions about Invisalign care, don’t hesitate to contact her office at 301-843-0225.