Ever wondered what wearing Invisalign is like for a typical day? We recently spoke to one of our patients to learn more about what it’s like wearing Invisalign from a day-to-day perspective. A lot of Invisalign marketing talks about the results, but what about the journey?
Being on board with the treatment plan is one of the best ways to guarantee excellent results, so understanding how Invisalign will impact your daily routine is an essential step in deciding if this orthodontic treatment is right for you. Here’s what you can expect on a typical day of wearing Invisalign…
7 am: Rise and Shine
Invisalign needs to be worn for 20-22 hours per day for the best results, which means you’re going to wake up wearing your Invisalign aligners. Sleeping with braces on can be a bit of an adjustment, but you soon won’t even notice you’re wearing them.
The first thing you should do when you wake up is to take out your aligners, brush your teeth and rinse your aligners. You don’t have to spend ages scrubbing your aligners. The best thing to do is to take them out while you eat your breakfast and rinse them. After breakfast, you can then brush your teeth, rinse your aligners and then put your aligners in for the day.
11 am: Morning coffee
By around mid-morning, you might be flagging and need a quick pick-me-up. It’s time for a coffee, but not without taking out your aligners first. To avoid making everyone in the office feel queasy, use an aligner case to keep your braces safe while you have your coffee.
Hot drinks can stain and warp Invisalign aligners, so you’ll have to take them out every time you want a drink. Most people simply cut down on hot drinks and replace them with water to avoid any stress. If you’re hoping to kick your caffeine habit for good, wearing Invisalign is a great way to do this.
Once you’ve finished your coffee, simply rinse your aligners under running water and pop them back in.
1 pm: Time for some lunch!
You’ll want to remove your aligners to eat your lunch, so pop them in their case again while you enjoy your Meal Deal or microwaved leftovers. Rinsing with mouthwash after you have eaten will help to remove any debris and freshen your breath.
Some people like to brush their teeth after every meal, but this isn’t always practical. Instead, keeping some mouthwash handy will help to keep your breath fresh. Chewing gum isn’t always practical, as it will lengthen the amount of time you aren’t wearing your aligners.
3 pm: A trip to the dentist
Trips to the dentist are less regular with clear removable aligners, as you can progress to the next aligner without your dentist’s help. With fixed braces, your dentist is in charge of making the adjustments.
While wearing Invisalign, you might notice the aligners rub against your lips or cheeks in the beginning. A trip to the dentist is the ideal opportunity to raise any issues and see if your orthodontist can do anything to help.
8 pm: Dinner and drinks with friends
No one says you can’t have any fun while wearing Invisalign! If you’re heading out for an evening meal while wearing Invisalign, you don’t have to leave your aligners at home. Simply take them out while you are eating your main meal and having a drink.
This is particularly important if you are drinking wine, as this can stain your aligners. Sugary drinks can also lead to a buildup of acid on your teeth, which could be very damaging to the enamel. When you put your aligners back in, switch to drinking water to help protect your teeth – and save yourself the headache!
11 pm: Time for bed
You’ve reached the end of another day wearing Invisalign. Before bed, you should brush your teeth and clean your aligners for the second time. For a relaxing bedtime routine, put your aligners in a cleaning solution for 15-20 minutes and make yourself a cup of herbal tea. After your herbal tea, brush your teeth and floss as you normally would. Rinse your aligners and put them back in before you go to bed.
You’ve reached the end of another day wearing Invisalign. Every day that you wear your aligners for 20-22 hours, you’ll get a little bit closer to perfectly straight teeth. Get in touch with Sloan Dental to start your Invisalign journey.
