Keeping Your Aligners In Great Shape
Posted on: 29 November 2018
Many people are having their dental misalignment corrected using clear plastic aligners. The devices are made from an impression of the patient's mouth and are constructed of transparent, rigid plastic.
The aligners fit over the teeth, applying gentle pressure to move them into their desired positions. As the teeth are treated, multiple aligner sets are required.
A set is worn for several weeks and then replaced by a subsequent set to continue the alignment process. When the last aligner set has been worn for the prescribed time, the treatment concludes.
To ensure that your clear aligners remain in great shape throughout your treatment, certain precautions should be observed. Here are a few of them.
Rinse the Aligners After Removal
Your clear plastic aligners are removable, making it easy for you to brush, floss, and eat. Still, because the aligners remain in the mouth for the majority of the day, it is important to rinse them thoroughly each time you remove them.
The oral cavity is filled with microbes that can cause bad breath, tooth decay, and gum disease. As you rinse the aligners, some of the plaque and oral bacteria that may coat the devices is removed.
Clean Your Mouth Before You Reinsert the Aligners
Once your aligners are out of your mouth, you have a great opportunity to clean your teeth. It is important to clean your mouth before reinserting the aligners to avoid trapping plaque and leftover particles of food between the aligners and your teeth. If these harmful substances are left in place, your chance of tooth decay and gum disease increases.
Oral bacteria feed on the leftover food and release acid that decays the teeth and inflames the gingival tissues.
Sanitize Your Aligners
Your aligners can be sanitized daily by soaking them in an appropriate cleaner, such as a denture-cleaning solution. A daily soak requires little time but can help reduce the number of germs on your appliance.
Brush Your Aligners With Soap
Although toothpaste is used when brushing your teeth, soap should be used when you brush your aligners. Toothpaste is abrasive and can scratch your clear aligners.
Liquid soap can be applied to your aligners with a soft-bristled toothbrush to keep them fresh and clean. However, it is best to avoid soap that is deeply colored. The pigments in the soap could stain your aligners.
For more information about clear aligners, schedule a consultation with orthodontist services like Donald E. Snyder Orthodontics.
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