Does Invisalign impact oral hygiene?

When most people think about orthodontic tools such as braces, they picture pieces of food being trapped under the archwire or around the brackets, creating a not very aesthetically pleasing look.

And if you are an adult who is looking to undertake dental realignment, you may be curious as to how other orthodontic tools, such as aligners, will impact your oral hygiene. Will you need to avoid certain foods? Or will you need as many hygienist appointments as you would wearing a fitted brace?

At Clear Braces Direct, our team specialises in the use of Invisalign London, a removable aligner that is not only easier to fit into your daily routine, but an aligner that also does not have such a dramatic impact on your oral health whilst wearing it.

So how does the wearing of Invisalign London differ from that of a fitted brace relating to dental hygiene? Read on to find out.

Eating

A common concern that many adults have when undergoing orthodontic treatment is how it will impact their diets. Many people are aware that when wearing a fitted brace, you have to avoid softer foods that can get trapped under the archwire and of course sticky foods like toffee. With Invisalign London, as the aligner is removable, you will not need to alter your diet at all and can enjoy the same range of foods as you did before starting treatment.

Brushing and flossing

When wearing invisible aligners, you can remove them to brush and floss your teeth and you should aim to do so twice a day. However, when you are about to eat food or consume hot beverages, you will need to take the aligners out of your mouth to prevent them from becoming damaged. It is worth investing in a travel-size toothbrush, as before you put the aligner back in your mouth, you will need to clean your teeth to remove food debris. This will prevent cavities and periodontal disease.

Hygienist

Gum disease is always a concern when it comes to dental care. When you are wearing an aligner or a brace, you will want to ensure that your gums are healthy and that there is no risk posed to your teeth. While you will not need to visit a hygienist as part of standard invisible aligner treatment, it may be worth attending biannual hygienist check-ups while undertaking this treatment, to ensure that your gums and teeth are healthy and free of periodontal disease.

Aligners

As the aligners are made from clear plastic, you will need to keep them clean to prevent issues from occurring with your oral hygiene. This is very straightforward; simply rinse the aligners under a tap twice a day, or as required, to remove debris and food particles that could cause cavities or gum disease. Do not use hot water to clean your aligners or mouthwash, as this can lead to the aligners becoming misshapen or stained.

Check-ups

Of course, when undertaking realignment treatment with invisible aligners you will still need to attend your biannual check-ups with our team. This will ensure that your teeth and gums remain in good condition.