10 tips for Invisalign wearers

Invisalign: 10 practical tips for your treatment. Here is how to make wearing the clear aligners much more comfortable.

Invisalign — the clear orthodontic aligner. The treatment moves your teeth into position gently and quickly. To make the journey even easier, here are 10 tips for your Invisalign therapy:

1. Take your Invisalign case everywhere

There is hardly a more frustrating moment than the one where a well-meaning waiter clears away the aligners you carefully wrapped in a napkin and throws them out. When you are absorbed in conversation, your surroundings fade — and according to our patients, this happens faster than you would think. The tray is gone, and you may have just switched to a fresh one. The small, flat Invisalign case prevents exactly that. Slip your aligners into the case before eating or drinking — and never go hunting for them again.

2. File down sharp edges

Invisalign trays are custom-made for you and produced in the United States. As a rule there should not be any uncomfortable edges, but in rare cases a tiny sharp edge may have been left behind during production. You usually only notice it after wearing the tray for a while. Before you suffer through it: dry the aligner briefly and carefully file the spot with a regular nail file. Run your fingertip over it to check that the edge is rounded off, then rinse the trays thoroughly with water.

3. Breath spray, mouthwash and tongue scraper

You can no longer just chew a piece of gum to freshen your breath while wearing the trays, so switch to breath spray, mouthwash and a tongue scraper instead. Mouthwash can be used with the aligners in your mouth up to three times a day. Breath spray is a great on-the-go alternative and easily replaces chewing gum in a busy day. Important: both the mouthwash and the breath spray should be colorless — otherwise they will stain your Invisalign trays.

4. Matte lipstick

If you wear lipstick with aligners, we recommend a matte formula. The smudge-proof texture saves you from excess color ending up on your trays. Alternatively, you can apply your favorite lip liner across the entire lip. If you do not want to give up your gloss or stick, draw your index finger gently between your lips after applying — that removes the color from the inside of the lip.

5. Switch to a new tray before going to sleep

When it is time to swap to the next pair of aligners, do it in the evening just before bed. Two reasons: first, you will not feel the pressure of the new trays while you sleep; and second, by the time you wake up you have already worn them for at least seven hours straight, so they feel much less noticeable during the day.

6. No colored drinks while the Invisalign trays are in

Colored drinks such as cola, coffee or juice can stain the trays. That is not only unattractive — combined with poor cleaning, it can lead to cavities. Smoking with the trays in should also be avoided: the color deposits on the aligners and leaves a yellow-brown film. With mouthwash, too, always make sure it is colorless.

7. Floss, toothpaste and toothbrush

A tip that really pays off: always carry floss, toothpaste and a toothbrush with you. Most drugstores stock travel-sized toothpaste and toothbrushes. Pack a small case or pouch with these three essentials and take it everywhere you go.

8. Soak Invisalign in a cleaning solution

The best time to clean your aligners with a soaking solution is during meals. As a rule you should wear the trays for 18-22 hours a day, so meal times are the longest stretch the trays are out of your mouth. Your Invisalign starter box includes cleaning crystals that mix with lukewarm water — soak your trays in that solution while you eat.

Caution: never soak the trays in mouthwash or in solutions designed for cleaning dentures. They can attack the aligner material.

9. Hold on to your last set of trays

After you have worn your aligners for the prescribed period and switched to the next pair, do not throw the previous ones away. Keep them as a safety net in case you ever lose your current trays. You may need to fall back on the old aligners to bridge the gap until your replacement arrives.

10. Smile and take photos

Visual progress is the best motivation. The easiest way to follow your transformation is to take a photo of your smile from the same angle on a regular basis. Once you have a few, you can play them back-to-back as your own little time-lapse. We recommend the My Invisalign app for this. Remember: every day brings you one step closer to your dream smile — celebrate the small wins!