Having a crooked grin can negatively impact both your appearance as well as your oral health. The state of your smile might leave you feeling self-conscious or worried about how others might perceive you. Furthermore, overcrowded teeth are harder to clean, so you’re more vulnerable to cavities and gum disease.
Thankfully, Invisalign can straighten your smile without the need for bulky metal brackets. Although potentially anyone wanting straighter teeth can benefit from this alternative orthodontic treatment, that doesn’t mean it’s right for everyone. Continue reading to learn three things to know before proceeding with Invisalign!
Item #1: It Can Cause Aches
Many people who want to realign their grins avoid braces because of the horror stories they’ve heard. The sharp brackets and wires are notorious for causing aches from tension in addition to rubbing raw spots in the tender tissues in your mouth. Part of the reason Invisalign continues gaining popularity is that the smooth plastic trays are much more comfortable. You don’t have to contend with cuts in your tongue or cheeks, and there are no wires to tighten at each follow-up appointment.
However, anything that exerts enough pressure to shift your teeth has the potential to throb. When you begin treatment, it can take a week or two before your mouth adjusts and the discomfort dissipates. Then, each time you switch to a new set of trays, you might experience some renewed aches for a day or two as you acclimate.
Item #2: It Increases the Risk of Gum Disease
You’ll need to wear your aligners for 22 hours daily to prevent your teeth from reverting to their previous positions. That means any bacteria and plaque present are pressed tightly against your connective tissues all day. This increases your vulnerability to oral issues like cavities and gum disease.
To prevent potential problems, you must remove your trays twice daily to thoroughly wash them and brush and floss your teeth. It’s also a good idea to cleanse your mouth after meals before reinserting your orthodontics.
Item #3: You May Want to Drink More Water
Saliva is your mouth’s natural defense system because it disinfects germs and rinses away unwanted debris that might cling to your teeth. Unfortunately, Invisalign can irritate your gums when it is new, which can reduce your saliva production. This can cause dry mouth, which leads to gum disease, tooth decay, and bad breath.
This can be prevented by drinking more water throughout the day to keep your mouth moist. Plus, it’s one of the only drinks you can safely consume while wearing your trays without staining them.
If you still have questions about Invisalign, the best next step is to consult with your dentist about whether it’s right for you!
About the Practice
At Grateful Dentists, you and your family benefit from a pair of experts who take pride in helping upgrade patients’ lives by improving their oral health. Dr. Danzig and Dr. Snook share 10+ years of combined experience treating people of all ages. They combine a caring and joyful approach with state-of-the-art equipment to enhance patient comfort while delivering accurate, long-lasting results. If you’re interested in Invisalign, you can request an appointment on the website or call (978) 667-2741.