If you have crooked or misaligned teeth, chances are you have been on the lookout for an excellent and discrete way to align your teeth. With Invisalign in Spruce Grove, you can get the smile of your dreams without the pain and hassle that comes along with traditional metal braces. Speak to a Spruce Grove dentist to determine if you are a good candidate for this orthodontic treatment.
In this blog post, we tell you about the basics of Invisalign and help you determine how to adjust your lifestyle to get the most out of this treatment.
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign is a form of orthodontic treatment that uses a series of removable, clear aligners to gradually move your teeth into the correct positions. The aligners are custom-made by a Spruce Grove dentist and work by applying pressure to your teeth to gently encourage them to move. When you opt for Invisalign, you will need to switch out your aligners every one to two weeks as directed by your dentist and wear the aligners for at least 22 hours a day for successful treatment.
This means that aligners should only be removed for eating, drinking, and cleaning. Invisalign is a good option for those looking for a more convenient and discrete alternative to traditional metal braces, but they do require certain lifestyle modifications. One of the more difficult modifications to get used to is your eating habits. Read on to learn more about how to adjust your eating habits to get the most out of your treatment.
The Benefits of Eating with Invisalign
The biggest benefit of eating with Invisalign is that you don’t have to worry about restricting your diet the same way you would if you had opted for traditional metal braces. You may simply remove your aligners to eat and drink, and place them back in your mouth when you are done. However, there are some things you need to be aware of when eating and drinking with your Invisalign aligners. Here are our tips for adjusting your eating habits to get the most out of Invisalign near you:
#1 Pay Attention to Your Morning Coffee
A lot of us are used to drinking a cup of coffee each morning to begin our day. For some, this has even become a ritual of sorts. With Invisalign, you won’t have to give up this habit, but you will have to be more strategic about when you drink your coffee. You should never drink coffee with your aligners in. Try to schedule your coffee drinking for the same time as your breakfast, that way you can enjoy your morning ritual without compromising your treatment.
#2 Clean Your Teeth More Often
When you are undergoing Invisalign treatment, you will have to brush your teeth more often than usual. It is important that your aligners are always worn over clean teeth. After each meal, drink, or snack, you will need to brush your teeth. This means taking travel toothbrushes with you to use throughout your day. If you place aligners over dirty teeth, you increase your risk of cavities.
#3 Follow the 22 Hour Rule
It is important to keep your aligners in your mouth and actively push on your teeth for 22 hours a day. This means that you need to pick up the pace and pay attention when eating and cleaning your teeth.
#4 Give up Gum
If you are an avid gum chewer, you are going to have to give up the habit. You cannot chew gum when you have your aligners in, as this can damage the appliances. On the other hand, if you opt to chew gum instead of wearing your aligners, you can end up prolonging your treatment and ending up with undesirable results.
#5 Reduce Your Snacking
It may be hard, but you will have to learn how to keep your snacking to a minimum and save most of your eating for mealtimes. Remember that every time you eat, even if it is just a snack, you will need to remove your aligners, brush your teeth, and then place the aligners back in. This can be a lot of work and can make it hard to stick to the 22-hour rule.
Some Extra Tips
It is a good idea to try to eat foods that are rich in vitamins such as calcium and vitamin D to help promote healthy, white teeth. Some such foods include:
- Cheese
- Apples
- Leafy greens
- Yogurt
- Carrots
Being mindful of the foods you eat will help promote excellent oral health throughout your Invisalign treatment.
Interested in Invisalign?
If you are interested in learning more about how you can benefit from Invisalign, please do not hesitate to book an appointment with your dentist. They can evaluate your bite and help you create the perfect treatment plan so you can get the smile of your dreams.