If you want to straighten your smile, you don’t need to settle for metal brackets or wires. Invisalign is a modern solution that can help you achieve aligned teeth discreetly. However, to achieve optimal results, you need to make sure that you are wearing your aligners for 22 hours each day. This may sound challenging on the surface, but there are steps you can take to simplify it. Here are some tips to help.
Why Do You Need to Wear Your Invisalign for 22 Hours Per Day?
Invisalign uses a series of clear aligners to slowly shift the teeth to their rightful locations. Each aligner needs to be worn for a designated amount of time each day, usually for about two weeks. The treatment uses micro-movements to gently shift the teeth until they are all in optimal locations. The treatment only works when the aligners are worn, so aligners need to be worn for 22 hours each day.
5 Ways to Meet Your Wear Time
- Schedule the Times You Take Out Your Invisalign: For example, you could plan to take out your aligners for 30 minutes for breakfast, 30 minutes for lunch, and 60 minutes for dinner.
- Use an App: You can use apps to help you keep track of your wear time throughout the day.
- Multi-Task: While you take your aligners out for a meal, you can use that time to soak them in cleaning solution. This way, you can save time.
- Keep Up an Oral Hygiene Routine: You should get in the habit of brushing, flossing, and rinsing your before after you finish your meals and before you put your trays back in your mouth.
- Start Your New Set Before Bed: If you need to start a new set of aligners, it is best to start wearing these before bed. This way, you will sleep through the discomfort. This way, you won’t feel the urge to take them out as your mouth adjusts to the new set.
If you are having trouble keeping up with your Invisalign treatment’s wear time, try using some of the tips listed above to stay on track. You will be showing off a straighter smile in just a matter of time!
About the Practice
At Weiss Dental Arts, Dr. Brad Weiss and Dr. Deborah Barker work together to treat patients in the Skokie area. With their combined experience and expertise, patients can get pretty much anything they need under one roof. To learn more about Invisalign or to schedule a consultation, visit their website or call (847) 864-0188.