Our patients love Invisalign aligners. It’s a discreet way to achieve a beautiful smile without anyone knowing you are pursuing orthodontic treatment. However, when you begin wearing your Invisalign aligners, there are a few bad habits you want to avoid. Today, we’re sharing the most common ones to stay away from, so you have the best experience possible during your treatment. 

  1. You Forget to Put Your Aligners Back In

You need to wear your aligners at least 22 hours a day. Fortunately, they are removable, so you can enjoy a meal, brush your teeth, and floss. Sometimes, people forget to put them, especially at the start of treatment. When you take off your aligners, make sure to keep them inside their case and nearby. You don’t want to slow down your progress unnecessarily.

  1. You Don’t Clean Them Regularly

Much like your teeth, your aligners need to be cleaned daily. Otherwise, they can accumulate bacteria and put your mouth at risk for oral health issues. Use a soft bristle toothbrush and a dye-free dish soap to clean them. Consider doing this at the same time you brush and floss your teeth at night. Invisalign also sells cleaning crystals, or you can buy special cleaning tablets for aligners in the store.

  1. You Sip Coffee or Other Staining Beverages 

You obviously can’t eat with your aligners in your mouth. However, you want to take care of what you drink, too. Sipping anything other than water isn’t a good idea when wearing your aligners. Drinking coffee or juice can stain your aligners. Other sugary or acidic beverages can get trapped under your aligners, putting your teeth at risk. Even sipping with a straw may not be a good idea.

  1. You Don’t Rinse Your Aligners 

When you have removed your aligners to eat or drink, you’ll want to rinse them before putting them back in. It will eliminate any lingering bacteria or food particles that may have gotten trapped in your aligners. Putting them back in your mouth without doing so puts your smile at risk. However, you still need to clean your aligners once a day. 

  1. You Leave Your Aligners in the Open

When you remove your aligners, you don’t want to put them out in the air. It can gather bacteria that you can’t easily rinse away without cleaning them (which may not always be possible, depending on where you are). Plus, you can risk losing them if they aren’t in their case. So, keep your case with you at all times. 

Want more personalized tips? Call Springs Dentist today at 719-249-5796 or schedule an appointment online in Colorado Springs, CO.