Clear aligners are a great way to straighten your teeth. You are given a series of instructions by your dentist when you choose aligners. You must follow these instructions for a great result. Fortunately, proper maintenance of these aligners is easy and does not take much time.
Clear aligners are attached to teeth. As a result, they start to collect bacteria and plaque over time. This is why establishing a cleaning routine is essential. Every morning, patients should clean those aligners as well as the teeth thoroughly. It is a good idea to use a soft brush to gently scrub away debris and a cotton swab to get into the deepest ridges. Then patients should floss them to remove bacteria trapped beneath them.
While doing this, patients should avoid using toothpaste. Toothpaste discolors aligners even though it is good for the teeth. Also, it makes these aligners lose the sheen. Alternatively, people can use baking soda. Baking soda stabilizes the pH levels of the aligners preventing them from developing harmful pH imbalances in the mouth. Baking soda also helps to disinfect the aligners without discoloring them.
These aligners are built in layers using a liquid resin that cures into hard plastic. Because of this nature, dentists advise people to avoid using aligners with hot water. The heat from the water warps the plastic making them less effective. Hot water distorts the shape of aligners and reduces their flexibility.
Once in a while, clear aligners have to be removed. Whenever this time comes, it is important to have extra dry, plastic containers to keep them in. This helps reduce the risk of exposing these aligners to bacteria or grime from the atmosphere. Also, this keeps aligners protected against any physical damage or becoming lost. It is important to have several storage containers within the house.
Patients should not put these aligners in the containers without cleaning them first. Putting a dirty retainer in a container creates an ideal breeding ground for bacteria. Patients should clean them first and make sure the aligners are completely dry before putting them in the cases. It is a good idea to avoid putting these aligners that have not dried up into containers. The moist environment allows bacteria to grow as well. Putting them in containers also helps to avoid the heat from the environment that can warp aligners.
Because of their plastic properties, patients should avoid eating or drinking with those aligners. These aligners can break or crack during the act of chewing making them ineffective in aligning the teeth. It is not just food that should be avoided, patients should pay attention to the drinks too. Hot or colored drinks can stain and slightly melt these aligners making them ineffective. Smoking has consequences on the appearance of teeth and aligners. The nicotine found in cigarettes turns teeth yellow making them discolored.
Getting these aligners is only the first step to aligning your teeth. The next step is taking care of these aligners. Remember that taking care of them makes them more effective in doing their job. If, however, you think they are not as effective as they were before, you should pay a visit to your dentist to check them out.
Request an appointment here: https://smilefreshdentalgrandblanc.com or call Smile Fresh Dental at (810) 515-7083 for an appointment in our Grand Blanc office.
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