Orthodontic aligners, like those from Spark or our own in-house brand, typically offer great results in less time than braces. With no metal brackets or wires, they are more comfortable. Plus, the ability to remove them makes meals and oral hygiene more convenient. Still, to get the best results from clear aligners, you’ll want to make sure you use them properly.
Follow our tips for aligner success:
- Don’t Take Them Out Too Often – You should wear your aligners at least 22 hours a day. It’s especially important to keep them in as much as possible when you first switch to a new set. Our recommendation is to take them out only for meals and oral hygiene.Â
- Keep a Case With You – Taking out aligners for meals makes it easier to eat. But unfortunately it also makes it easier to misplace them. You’re less likely to lose them if you put them into a case every time you remove them. We recommend stashing extra cases in places like your locker at school, your gym bag, or your desk at work.Â
- Watch What You Drink – Drink only water and other clear liquids when wearing aligners. Many other liquids can stain them, especially tea, coffee, and wine. Avoid hot beverages too, as high temperatures can cause aligners to warp.
- Use the Right Cleaning Products – Use only a soft-bristled toothbrush. To avoid scratching them, use a mild soap instead of toothpaste.Â
- Keep Your Prior Set Handy – We recommend hanging on to aligners after switching to the next set in the series. That way, if your aligners are lost or damaged, you can wear the old set while waiting for replacements.Â
To schedule an appointment in Greeley, CO, call Richter Orthodontics today at 970-500-5928 or schedule online.
